Patients' perspective of the impact of COPD on quality of life: a focus group study for patients with COPD

Abstract

Background The quality of life has been shown to be poor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, patients' perspective and attitudes toward COPD and its impact on their quality of life have been remarkably ignored. Objective To explore patients' views and perceptions regarding COPD and its impact on their quality of life. Setting COPD clinic at the Royal Medical Services Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Method Focus groups discussions to explore patients' views and perceptions about COPD were conducted using purposive sampling technique till data saturation achieved. A predesigned topic guides including knowledge about COPD and its management and the impact of COPD on the quality of life in patients with COPD was used to facilitate discussion during the interviews. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Main outcome measure Impact of COPD on patients' quality of life. Results The main themes emerged included information needs about COPD and its management, physical and psychological impact of COPD and reliance on others. The most commonly expressed problem was breathlessness which restricted physical activity and led to panic and anxiety attacks. Constant breathlessness coupled with anxiety can force COPD patient to avoid all physical activity and becoming reliant on others. Conclusion In addition to the lack of knowledge about COPD and its management, it was evident that COPD had a negative physical and psychological impact on COPD patients. Future disease management and clinical pharmacy services programs should address the current study findings in order to improve the health outcomes for patients with COPD.

Keywords: COPD; Focus group; Jordan; Physical impact; Psychological impact; Qualitative research; Quality of life.