TY - JOUR T1 - The need for the integrated care for advanced COPD patients in the northern Poland (Pomerania) JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P626 AU - Iwona Damps-Konstanska AU - Lidia Werachowska AU - Amelia Szymanowska-Narloch AU - Piotr Krakowiak AU - Malgorzata Kaczmarek AU - Ewa Jassem Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P626.abstract N2 - COPD is one of the most prevalent chronic disease, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Symptom control and preventing risk of exacerbation is the main goal in the management of COPD. Poor compliance and insufficient self-management, especially in the more advanced patients are recognized causes of increased exacerbation rate. Currently, in the Northern Poland the model of integrated care for advanced COPD patients is to be introduced. However little is known about the need and acceptance for such a care among patients and their relatives. Thus, the aim of this initial study was to assess the QoL (using SGRQ) in 30 consecutive advanced COPD patients living one of the small towns in Pomerania and their acceptance for continuing support (two times a week during one month) delivered in their homes (assessed by specially constructed questionnaire). Home intervention included two-hours meeting (structured as follows: 30 min of education including assessment of the proper use of inhalators and medications intake, 30 min of physical activity, 30 min of small-talk focused on the subject proposed by patient, and 30 min of the assessment of symptoms, pulsoximetry and PEF measurement) with medical caregiver. Results demonstrated poor QoL in the study group during the stable period of the disease (total score of SGRQ – mean: 71; range: from 24 to 91) and the full acceptance for the home support (28 patients were very satisfied, 2 were satisfied). These findings confirmed the need for integrated care in Pomerania and chance for realization of the program. ER -