TY - JOUR T1 - Patient-physician communication and physical challenges resulting from morning symptoms of COPD JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P1465 AU - Philip O'Hagan AU - Beyza Oezel AU - Niels Chavannes Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1465.abstract N2 - IntroductionThe treatment of COPD centres on relieving symptoms but there is scant information concerning the extent to which physicians provide guidance and advice on how treatment may help to improve patients' ability to carry out everyday activities. The survey assessed the impact of morning symptoms of COPD on patients' ability to perform activities in the morning and the rest of the day and the level of 'communication' with their physicians.MethodsApproximately 100 patients in each of eight countries completed a 20 minute on-line survey that thus had sufficient statistical power to reveal country differences. Patients were recruited from a panel of consumers who had previously expressed an interest in participating in healthcare research.Results Although a third of patients stated that 'improvement in ability to carry out morning activities' was a key goal of treatment, physicians were much less likely to identify it as a goal. Physicians were far more likely to concentrate on discussing medications and general health than on providing advice on how treatment could help improve patients' ability to perform daily activities. And although the majority of patients considered their medications to be effective in controlling symptoms, they considered them much less effective in helping to improve their ability to perform activities.ConclusionsMany patients believed they had not received the advice and support they desired with regard to their goal of improved ability to carry out morning activities. ER -