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Experiences of older people following an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study

Rosa, Francesca; Bagnasco, Annamaria; Ghirotto, Luca; Rocco, Gennaro; Catania, Gianluca; Aleo, Giuseppe; Zanini, Milko; Dasso, Nicoletta; Hayter, Mark; Sasso, Loredana

Authors

Francesca Rosa

Annamaria Bagnasco

Luca Ghirotto

Gennaro Rocco

Gianluca Catania

Giuseppe Aleo

Milko Zanini

Nicoletta Dasso

Mark Hayter

Loredana Sasso



Abstract

Aims and objectives

To explore the experience of patients affected by COPD following hospitalization due to an acute exacerbation event.

Background

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressively debilitating disease, often with very burdensome symptoms such as acute and chronic breathlessness and fatigue. Acute exacerbation often creates a life threatening event. Exacerbation can also have substantial psychological effects including anxiety and depression although this aspect is less well researched – especially amongst people with COPD recovering from an acute event and facing a return home.

Design

A descriptive phenomenological study.

Methods

In depth interviews were conducted with twelve COPD patients recently recovering from an acute exacerbation of their COPD. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological framework.

Results

Four themes were identified from the data: a sense of loss and frustration, hopelessness, uncertainty about the future and fear of becoming a burden. Participants expressed quite negative views including a loss of hope, uncertainty about their future care and the burden they may become on their families. They appeared stressed and anxious as a result of the acute event they had experienced.

Conclusions

This study shows that an acute episode of illness can generate a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty about their future care in people with COPD. This occurs as they recover physically and think about the future, often in quite negative terms.
Relevance to clinical practice

For healthcare professionals it is important to take into account the potential feelings of loss, hopelessness and uncertainty that people can experience following an acute exacerbation of their COPD and ensure that psychological care is available as physical recovery takes place. Such care to include good discharge planning, giving patients time to express concerns and referral to counselling services if appropriate.

Citation

Rosa, F., Bagnasco, A., Ghirotto, L., Rocco, G., Catania, G., Aleo, G., …Sasso, L. (2018). Experiences of older people following an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(5-6), e1110-e1119. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14189

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 29, 2017
Online Publication Date Feb 21, 2018
Publication Date 2018-03
Deposit Date Dec 11, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Clinical Nursing
Print ISSN 0962-1067
Electronic ISSN 1365-2702
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 27
Issue 5-6
Pages e1110-e1119
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14189
Keywords COPD; Phenomenology; Patient; Older person; Hospital; Interviews; Chronic illness; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Illness-meaning; Nursing
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/499564
Publisher URL http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/jocn.14189/abstract

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Rosa, F., Bagnasco, A., Ghirotto, L., Rocco, G., Catania, G., Aleo, G., Zanini, M., Dasso, N., Hayter, M. and Sasso, L. (), Experiences of older people following an acute exacerbation of COPD: a phenomenological study. J Clin Nurs., which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.14189/abstract . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.





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