Play the cards you are dealt. A Shared Decision Making Approach to Dyspnea in COPD

摘要

Introduction/Rationale: Dyspnea (breathlessness) is a multifactorial issue frequently affecting people with COPD. A one-size-fits-all approach is rarely successful. It is associated with mortality, hospitalisation and length of stay. Objectives: What appears to be a simple deck of card, is in fact a shared decision-making aide, to assist both therapists and clients to guide their interventions. Approach: A quality improvement project was completed to create a shared decision making aid. A PubMed database search of ‘COPD’ and ‘dyspnea’ was conducted limited to the last 5 years. The literature was synthesised, exploringstrength of the evidence, effect size, pragmatic and contextual considerations. The aid has received feedback from a multidisciplinary respiratory service and evaluated with clients.Results or practice implications: Interventions to improve dyspnea are diverse (e.g., energy conservation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the legs, cognitive behavioural therapy). The shared decision-making aid empowers clients to be involved in their own care, and facilitates access to a wider range of intervention options. Conclusion: The shared decision-making aid will be used to support occupational therapy practice for clients with COPD.