RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Applying human factors to understand the needs of people living with COPD
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA4988
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2023.PA4988
VO 62
IS suppl 67
A1 Scichilone, Nicola
A1 Lombardini, Marta
A1 Milesi, Ilaria
A1 Bianchi, Francesco
A1 Marenghi, Giulia
A1 White, Chris
A1 Whittamore, Andrew
YR 2023
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/62/suppl_67/PA4988.abstract
AB Aim: Pharmacological therapy is crucial for managing COPD, however understanding patient journey and exploring their perceptions and emotions is key to ensure that people living with COPD receive the necessary support to best manage their health condition. Thus, the objective of this human factors study was to identify the unmet needs in COPD patients’ daily lives.Methods: Face to face 60 min interviews were conducted in 8 EU Countries with 62 mild to severe COPD patients of all age ranges, to gather feedback on the diagnosis process, symptoms, disease management, and challenges in living with COPD.Results: Patients stated that their diagnosis had taken over 6 months and felt that they did not get enough information at the point of diagnosis. They mentioned not being involved in treatment choices and after diagnosis becoming less active and unwilling to know more about the disease due to fear for their future. Patients expressed not being proactive in asking for help or fighting for a better life. Reduction in quality of life (including social, family, work, hobbies activities), persistent symptoms, cumbersome treatment regimes, unpredictable environmental factors (pollution, weather, scents) and dealing with their emotional load (anxiety, embarrassment, depression and fear for future) were considered the key challenges in living with COPD.Conclusion: These first results highlight the emotional and psychological aspects of people living with COPD beyond the clinical status. The novel approach of this study could lay the ground for a new methodology of developing solutions that consider not only symptoms but also the impact of the disease on patients’ daily life.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2023; 62: Suppl. 67, PA4988.This abstract was presented at the 2023 ERS International Congress, in session “Inflammatory endotyping: the macrophage across disease areas”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).