To Örebro University

PURPOSE: Patient education in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recommended in treatment strategy documents, since it can improve the ability to cope with the disease. Our aim was to identify the extent of and factors associated with patient education in patients with COPD in a primary health care setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this nationwide study, we identified 29,692 COPD patients with a registration in the Swedish National Airway Register (SNAR) in 2019. Data on patient education and other clinical variables of interest were collected from SNAR. The database was linked to additional national registers to obtain data about pharmacological treatment, exacerbations and educational level.

RESULTS: Patient education had been received by 44% of COPD patients, 72% of whom had received education on pharmacological treatment including inhalation technique. A higher proportion of patients who had received education were offered smoking cessation support, had performed spirometry and answered the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), compared with patients without patient education. In the adjusted analysis, GOLD grade 2 (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.18-1.42), grade 3 (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.27-1.57) and grade 4 (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.48-2.15), as well as GOLD group E (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29), ex-smoking (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.56-1.84) and current smoking (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.33-1.58) were positively associated with having received patient education, while cardiovascular disease (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.98) and diabetes (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-1.00) were negatively associated with receipt of patient education.

CONCLUSION: Fewer than half of the patients had received patient education, and the education had mostly been given to those with more severe COPD, ex- and current smokers and patients with fewer comorbidities. Our study highlights the need to enhance patient education at an earlier stage of the disease.

Introduction: A recent systematic review showed that only about one third of the patients had a correct inhalation technique and the number had not improved the last 40 years¹.

Aim: The aim was to describe errors, separated into errors related to devices and errors related to inhalation technique, that occur when patients with COPD inhale medications.

Method: In this descriptive study, patients with a COPD diagnosis were recruited from a randomized controlled trial performed 2015-2016 in primary care in four county councils in Sweden. A COPD nurse assessed the inhalation technique using a checklist with errors related to devices and to inhalation technique with possibility to write additional comments.

Results: In total, 167 patients using 287 inhalers were assessed, 52% (n = 86) were female, mean age 71 years. A total of 163 errors were noted in the checklist, of which 87 were related to inhalation technique and 76 were related to devices. Except from this the COPD nurse had written comments regarding 53 errors that were not included in the checklist. At least one error (range: 1-7 errors) was made by 46% (n = 76) of the patients.

Conclusion: The results show that many patients do not use the device correctly. Both errors related to inhalation technique and related to devices were present. This implies that there is a need to focus on both aspects when teaching patients how to inhale their medication. The checklist used in this study needs to be further improved.

The results show that many patients don’t use the inhaler correctly. Errors related to inhalation technique were twice as common as those related to devices. When teaching patients to use the inhalers it seems like there is a need to focus more on the inhalation technique itself. The checklist used in this study needs to be further improved.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe inhaler use in primary health care patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to categorize these patients into those making errors related to devices, those making errors related to inhalation technique and those making errors related to both.

Design: Observational study. Methods COPD nurses used a checklist to assess the use of inhalers by patients with spirometry-verified COPD (N = 183) from primary healthcare centres. The STROBE checklist has been used.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 71 (SD 9) years. Almost half of them (45%) made at least one error; of these, 50% made errors related to devices, 31% made errors related to inhalation technique and 19% made errors related both to devices and to inhalation technique.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether one additional educational session about inhaler use, delivered to patients with COPD in primary healthcare, could affect the patients' skills in inhaler use. Specifically, to study the effects on errors related to handling the device, to inhalation technique, and to both.

METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled clinical trial included 64 patients who used devices and made errors. COPD nurses assessed inhaler use using a checklist and educated patients. Intervention group received one additional educational session after two weeks.

RESULTS: At baseline, patients in the IG had more devices (n = 2,1) compared to patients in the CG (n = 1,6) (p = 0.003). No other statistically significant differences were seen at baseline. At follow-up, intervention group showed a lower proportion of patients who made errors related to handling the device (p = 0.006). No differences were seen in the other categories.

CONCLUSION: One additional educational session in inhaler use for patients with COPD was effective in reducing the proportion of patients making errors related to handling of their devices.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Categorization of errors might help healthcare professionals to assess the suitability of patients' devices, tailor patient education, and thus improve patient health.

Nurses are critical players in healthcare and should be the next profession to standardise levels of education, preparing them for an active partnership with other healthcare professionals prepared to tackle the chronic disease problem in Europe.

Aims and objectives: To explore how spouses of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience their role as informal caregiver.

Background: Informal caregiver spouses are of pivotal importance in the way that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cope with their daily life, including their opportunity to stay at home and avoid hospitalisations in the last stages of the disease. However, caregiving is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among caregivers. Further understanding of the role as an informal caregiver spouse of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is needed to develop supportive interventions aimed at reducing the caregiver burden.

Design: The study had a qualitative exploratory design. The data collection and analysis were based on framework method. Framework method is a thematic methodology and consists of five key stages: familiarisation, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting and mapping & interpretation.

Methods: Three focus groups were conducted in November 2013 with 22 spouses of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Results: Undefined and unpredictable responsibility was found to be the overarching theme describing the informal caregiver role. Underlying themes were: being constantly in a state of alertness, social life modified, maintaining normality, ambivalence in the relationship and a willingness to be involved.

Conclusions: The informal caregiver spouses experienced ambiguity about expectations from their private and the health professionals' surroundings. The informal caregiver spouses wanted to provide meaningful care for their partners, but sought knowledge and support from the health professionals.

Relevance to clinical practice: We recommend that nurses take on the responsibility for including the informal caregiver spouses in those aspects of decision-making that involve the common life of the patients and their spouses.

It has previously been suggested that exercise capacity is decreased in COPD and that it is associated with degree of disease. The reduced exercise capacity may plausibly be due to low levels of physical activity in this patient group. The aim of the present study was to assess exercise capacity and physical activity in different stages of COPD and to examine the associations between exercise capacity, pulmonary function and degree of physical activity. A total of 44 COPD patients and 17 healthy subjects participated in the study. Exercise capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walking test and physical activity was assessed using an accelerometer worn all waking hours during 7 days. Mean exercise capacity was significantly lower in COPD patients compared with healthy subjects. Mean physical activity level and time spent at least moderately active were significantly lower in patients with moderate and severe COPD compared with healthy subjects while no differences in time spent sedentary were observed between the study groups. Pulmonary function, mean physical activity level and time spent at least moderately physically active were significantly associated with exercise capacity in the patients. We conclude that patients with moderate and severe COPD are less physically active compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, mean physical activity level and physical activity of at least moderate intensity are positively associated with exercise capacity in COPD, while time spent sedentary is not, which stresses an important role of physical activity on exercise capacity in these patients.

Purpose: It has previously been suggested that exercise capacity is decreased in COPD patients and that it is associated with degree of disease. The reduced exercise capacity may plausibly be due to low levels of physical activity in this patient group. In the present study we aimed to assess exercise capacity and physical activity in different stages of COPD and to examine the associations between exercise capacity, pulmonary function and degree of physical activity.

Methods: 44 COPD patients and 17 healthy subjects participated in the study. Exercise capacity was assessed using the 6 minute walking test and physical activity was assessed using a uniaxial accelerometer worn all waking hours during seven days.

Results: Mean exercise capacity was significantly lower in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Mean physical activity level and time spent at least moderately active were significantly lower in patients with moderate and severe COPD compared to healthy subjects while no differences in time spent sedentary were observed between the study groups. Pulmonary function, mean physical activity level and time spent at least moderately physically active were significantly associated with exercise capacity in the patients.

Conclusions: Patients with moderate and severe COPD are significantly less physically active compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, mean physical activity level as well as physical activity of at least moderate intensity are positively associated with exercise capacity in COPD patients while time spent sedentary is not which stresses an important role of physical activity on exercise capacity in this patient group. 

Background: High exercise self-efficacy is required for optimal exercise training in both patients with COPD and chronic heart failure (CHF).

Aim: To compare exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity and health status in COPD and CHF patients, and explore the association of symptoms and exercise self-efficacy.

Method: Baseline data from a self-management group-intervention on 150 primary care patients with COPD (n=60), CHF (n=60) and a possible double diagnosis (n=30). Exercise self-efficacy (Swedish SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Score), dyspnea (mMRC), fatigue (Fatigue Score), pain (five-level question), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), functional capacity (six-minute Walking Test) and health status (VAS) were assessed.

Results: The COPD group had fewer men than the CHF group (23vs 40 males; p<0.05) and lower mean age (69 (SD8) vs 78 (SD8) years; p<0.05), but had similar levels of self-efficacy, health status and symptoms. Functional capacity was similar after age-correction. Associations with self-efficacy were found for mMRC=1 (R -4.45; 95% CI-8.41- -0.50), mMRC=2 (-6.60;-10.68- -2.52), mMRC=3 (-9.94;-15.07- -4.80), fatigue (-0.87;-1.41- -0.32), moderate (-3.87;-7.52- -0.21) and severe pain (-5.32;-10.13- -0.52), depression (-0.98;-1.42- -0.55) and anxiety (-0.65;-0,10- -0.32) after adjustment for diagnosis, sex and age.

Conclusion: Similar levels of exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity, and health status were found. Symptoms are associated with self-efficacy regardless of diagnosis, sex and age. Joint self-management groups with focus on self-efficacy seem feasible.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity and health status and investigate the association between these variables in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). Additionally, to investigate how diagnosis, symptoms and patient characteristics are associated with exercise self-efficacy in these patient groups.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Primary care.

SUBJECTS: Patients (n = 150) with COPD (n = 60), CHF (n = 60) and a double diagnosis (n = 30).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Swedish SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy score, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea score (mMRC), fatigue score, pain severity score, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, functional capacity measured as six-minute walking distance and health status measured by a Visual Analogue Scale.

RESULTS: Levels of exercise self-efficacy, health status and symptoms were alike for patients with COPD and patients with CHF. Functional capacity was similar after correction for age. Associations with exercise self-efficacy were found for slight dyspnea (mMRC = 1) (R -4.45; 95% CI -8.41- -0.50), moderate dyspnea (mMRC = 2) (-6.60;-10.68- -2.52), severe dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 3) (-9.94; -15.07- -4.80), fatigue (-0.87;-1.41- -0.32), moderate pain (-3.87;-7.52- -0.21) and severe pain (-5.32;-10.13- -0.52), symptoms of depression (-0.98;-1.42- -0.55) and anxiety (-0.65;-0,10- -0.32), after adjustment for diagnosis, sex and age.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Patients with COPD or CHF have similar levels of exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity and health status. More severe symptoms are associated with lower levels of exercise self-efficacy regardless of diagnosis, sex and age. When forming self-management groups with a focus on exercise self-efficacy, it seems more relevant to consider level of symptoms than the specific diagnosis of COPD or CHF.Key pointsExercise training is an important part of self-management in patients with COPD and chronic heart failure (CHF). High exercise self-efficacy is required for optimal exercise training.Patients with COPD and CHF have similar symptoms and similar levels of exercise self-efficacy, functional capacity and health status.Not the diagnosis, but symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety are important factors influencing exercise self-efficacy and need to be addressed.When forming self-management groups with a focus on exercise self-efficacy, it seems more relevant to consider the level of symptoms than the specific diagnosis of COPD or CHF.

BACKGROUND: Because poor health in youth risk affecting their entry in adulthood, improved methods for their early identification are needed. Health and welfare technology is widely accepted by youth populations, presenting a potential method for identifying their health problems. However, healthcare technology must be evidence-based. Specifically, feasibility studies contribute valuable information prior to more complex effects-based research. The current study assessed the process, resource, management, and scientific feasibility of the Youth Health Report System prototype, developed within a youth health clinic context in advance of an intervention study.

METHODS: This mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted in a clinical setting. The process, resource, management, and scientific feasibility of the Youth Health Report System were investigated, as recommended in the literature. Participants were youth aged 16-23 years old, attending a youth health clinic, and healthcare professionals from three clinics. The youth participants used their smart phones to respond to Youth Health Report System health questions and healthcare professionals used their computer to access the results and for registration system entries. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with healthcare professionals, which were described with thematic analysis. Youth participants' quantitative Youth Health Report System data were analyzed for descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Feasibility analysis of qualitative data from interviews with 11 healthcare professionals resulted in three themes: We expected it could be hard; Information and routines helped but time was an issue; and The electronic case report form was valuable in the health assessment. Qualitative data were collected from the Youth Health Report System. A total of 54 youth participants completed the evaluation questionnaire, and healthcare professionals retrieved information from, and made post-appointment system entries. Quantitative results revealed few missing items and acceptable data variability. An assessment template of merged qualitative and quantitative data guided a consensus discussion among the researchers, resulting in acceptable feasibility.

CONCLUSIONS: The process-, resource-, management-, and scientific feasibility aspects were acceptable, with some modifications, strengthening the potential for a successful Youth Health Report System intervention study.

PURPOSE: Health literacy (HL) is a set of knowledge and skills that enables individuals to interpret and act upon health information, which is essential for health equity. There is a growing body of evidence in the field of HL in cancer care but there is, to our knowledge, no systematic review that explores the association between sociodemographic factors and HL among patients with cancer. The aim of this study was therefore to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature that assesses HL levels and the relationship between HL and sociodemographic factors in an adult cancer population.

METHODS: This is a systematic review and its protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021164071). The study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The literature search, from December 2009 to September 2023, was made in six databases, AMED, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in the review. The included studies used nine different measurement tools for assessing HL. In the included studies between 11.9 % and 86 % had limited HL. We identified a relationship between limited HL and annual income, education level, ethnicity, living in rural areas and multiple comorbidities.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that limited HL is prevalent in the cancer population and should be acknowledge in everyday practice to meet health equity. Our awareness about sociodemographic factors and its association with HL, may enhance adherence to cancer treatment and quality of life, and lower physical and emotional distress.

Background: In Sweden, asthma, allergy and COPD clinics are a successful model for evidence-based care. The main criteria for the clinic is that it should be led by an educated asthma, allergy and COPD-nurse. Further, allergy consultant nurses have the main task to be a bridge between health care and the family/preschool/school/work.

Aim: To describe the Swedish nursing education courses of an asthma, allergy and COPD nurse and an allergy consultant nurse.

Methods/results: To become specialized, the nurse need further university studies in asthma, allergy and COPD after bachelor degree, i.e. at least 15 credits. This can also be followed up by further credits and a master’s degree. The courses are designed with a person-centered approach as a mix of nursing and medicine. It includes early detection, screening and diagnosis of asthma, allergy and COPD and skills about spirometry, allergy testing, patient education, smoking cessation support and the use of a written treatment-plan as well as assessment of risk factors, comorbidities, and symptoms i.e. both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Self-management, interprofessional collaboration and how to evaluate adherence to guidelines by using the Swedish National Airway Register are highlighted in the course. The allergy consultant nurse receives deeper education in allergy and the immunological mechanisms. The consultant often has postgraduate credits in specialist nursing or a master of science with a specialisation in paediatric and adolescent healthcare.

Conclusion: Advanced education after bachelor’s degree has benefits both for the patient and for the society.

PURPOSE: To describe physical functioning after severe COVID-19-infection.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used. Thirty-nine participants performed tests and answered questionnaires measuring physical functioning six months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19. Thirty of these participants participated in semi-structured interviews with questions regarding how they perceived their physical functioning and recovery from COVID-19 at 12 months post-hospitalisation.

RESULTS: At six months, physical functioning measured via chair stand test and hip-worn accelerometers was lower than normal reference values. There was a reduction in breathing muscle strength. Participants estimated their functional status during different activities as lower compared to those before COVID-19-infection, measured with a patient-specific functional scale. At one year after infection, there were descriptions of a rough recovery process and remaining symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Patients recovering from severe COVID-19 seem to have reduced physical functioning and activity levels, and they perceive their recovery to be slow and difficult. They experienced a lack of clinical support and contradictory advice regarding rehabilitation. Coaching in returning to physical functioning after the infection needs to be better co-ordinated and there is a need for guidelines for health professionals to avoid patients receiving contradictory advice.

The aim of this thesis was to modify and evaluate effects, as well as todescribe experiences of a nurse-led multidisciplinary programme of pulmonaryrehabilitation in primary health care for patients with chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their next of kin.Interviews were performed with 12 COPD nurses about their experiencesof patient education (I). Forty-nine patients participated in the interventiongroup and 54 in the control group in a quasi-experimentalstudy which investigated the effects of the programme on functional capacity,quality of life and exacerbation frequency during one year (II).Interviews were performed related to the experiences of 20 patients whohad participated in the six-week programme (III) and the experiences of20 next of kin to the patients that had participated (IV).The results showed that COPD nurses fluctuated between security andinsecurity in patient education and were in need of support, time, structureand collaboration to develop their patient education (I). In Study IIthere were no differences between the groups with regard to functionalcapacity and quality of life, but the number of exacerbations decreased inthe intervention group and increased in the control group (II). The patientsin study III had allowed themselves to live at their own pace followingthe programme but a constant fear was present in spite of the programme(III). Next of kin in Study IV had a life that remained overshadowedby illness but there were positive outcomes of the programme aslong as two years afterwards. The next of kin also had constant fear,however (IV).In conclusion, the six week programme brought about results in changingeveryday life. Nevertheless, all lived in the shadow of fear and uncertaintyin spite of the programme. More research is needed to address therequirements of COPD nurses, patients and next of kin.

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have multiple symptoms. Nursing care is based on six core competencies and one of them is person-centred care that includes the aspect of professional symptom relief. The aim was to clarify a meaning of the concept of Symptom-reducing actions in the context of COPD. Databases MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched between 1982 and February 2016 and 26 publications were found. Two dictionaries and three books were investigated. The method of Walker & Avant was followed. The use of the concept of Symptom-reducing actions may be categorized by the sub-concepts of supervision, information, and patient education. Exploration of defining attributes was symptom management, instructions, support, motivation, explanation, advice, teaching, and learning. Antecedent occurrences were related to factors that affect the patient's level of function such as physical performance and cognitive function. Symptom-reducing actions offer a way to support patients with COPD in self-management. Symptom-reducing actions can mediate facts in a purposeful process performed by the nurse to enable the patient to take control over and manage unpleasant symptoms by a person-centred, planned process. The nurse can achieve this via supervision, information, and patient education with an integrated emotional component. Evaluating the outcomes is needed.

Patient Report Informing Self-Management Support (PRISMS) could be a useful tool to improve quality of care in supporting self-management. Personal attention is an important part of a person-centered approach.

AIM: To test a self-management intervention in primary health care for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Chronic Heart Failure on self-efficacy, symptoms, functioning and health.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Chronic Heart Failure experience often the same symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, lack of energy, dry mouth, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, pain and sleeping problems.

DESIGN: A multicentre randomized control trial.

METHOD: The trial was conducted with one intervention group (n=73) and one control group (n=77). The trial was performed from September 2013 - September 2015 at nine primary health care centres in three county councils in Sweden. At baseline patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure experienced any symptom. Follow-ups were performed after three months and one year. The intervention was structured on Bandura's theory of self-efficacy in six meetings and individual action plans based on personal problems were performed and discussed.

RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between the groups except for SF-36 social function. After three months, the intervention group improved performance and satisfaction with regard to own selected activities, otherwise no differences were found.

CONCLUSION: When designing a program, the patient's own difficulties must be taken into consideration if person-centered care is to be established. It is feasible to include both patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure in the same group in primary health care. Health care professionals need supervision in pedagogics during intervention in self-management.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on the quality of care of the Patient Report Informing Self-Management Support (PRISMS) form compared with usual care among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) consulting a COPD nurse in primary health care.

BACKGROUND: Patients with COPD experience symptoms affecting their everyday lives and there is a need for interventions in self-management support. The delivery of chronic care in an organized, structured, and planned manner can lead to more productive relationships between professionals and patients.

DESIGN: A multicentre randomised controlled trial with a post-test design, according to the CONSORT checklist, in one intervention group (n=94) and one control group (n=108).

METHODS: In addition to usual care, the intervention group (n=94) completed the PRISMS form to indicate areas where they wanted self-management support before the consultation with the COPD nurse. This form comprises 17 items that patients with COPD commonly experience as problems. The control group received usual care (n=108). The primary outcome was patients' satisfaction with quality of care, assessed using the Quality from the Patient's Perspective (QPP) questionnaire. Means and (SD) are presented where applicable. Differences between the intervention and control group were analysed with Student's t-test for independent groups for interval data, and the Mann-Whitney U-test for ordinal data.

RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group were more satisfied with the QPP domains "personal attention", regarding both "Perceived reality" (p=0.021) and "Subjective Importance" (p=0.012). The PRISMS form revealed "Shortness of breath" as the most commonly experienced problem and the issue most desired to discuss.

CONCLUSION: The PRISMS form improved patient satisfaction with quality of care regarding personal attention, which is an important factor in patient participation and improving relationships and communication.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The PRISMS form can be a useful tool in improving person-centred care when delivering self-management support.

AIM:To investigate the effects of a nurse-led multidisciplinary programme (NMP) of pulmonary rehabilitation in primary health care with regard to functional capacity, quality of life (QoL), and exacerbations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHOD:A 1-year longitudinal study with a quasi-experimental design was undertaken in patients with COPD, 49 in the intervention group and 54 in the control group. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walking test, and quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire. Exacerbations were calculated by examination of patient records.

RESULTS:No significant differences were found between the groups in functional capacity and QoL after 1 year. The exacerbations decreased in the intervention group (n = -0.2) and increased in the control group (n = 0.3) during the year after NMP. The mean difference of change in exacerbation frequency between the groups was statistically significant after one year (p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS:The NMP in primary care produced a significant reduction in exacerbation frequency, but functional capacity and QoL were unchanged. More and larger studies are needed to evaluate potential benefits in functional capacity and QoL.

Aims and objectives: To investigate the effects of a nurse-led multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation programme conducted in primary health care on functional capacity, quality of life and exacerbation frequency over three years among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Although Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a chronic respiratory disease, it has been established that pulmonary rehabilitation has positive effects on patients' everyday functioning. However, the duration of these functional improvements, especially when the rehabilitation programmes are provided in primary health care settings, remains to be established.

Design: A quasi-experimental design.

Method: Primary health care patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD stages II and III) were included; 49 in the intervention group and 54 in the control group. The intervention comprised a six-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Functional capacity was assessed using a six-minute walking test and quality of life by the Clinical COPD Questionnaire at baseline, after one year and three years. Exacerbation frequency was calculated from one year before to three years after the programme.

Results: No significant differences between the groups were observed in the six-minute walking-test or the Clinical COPD Questionnaire after one year and three years. On average, there were significant improvements in the six-minute walking-test and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire from baseline to the one-year follow-up. Exacerbation frequency tended to decrease in the intervention group and increase in the control group (interaction test was p = 0·091) but increased again in both groups after three years.

Conclusion: There was no evidence of the benefit of the nurse-led multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation programme, although the exacerbation frequency tended to decrease in the intervention group after one year. There is a need for support and coaching at regular follow-ups in primary health care.

Relevance to clinical practice: There is a need to support and coach patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in primary health care by means of regular follow-ups.

The number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing. These patients need nursing care, including education in self-care, which has a positive effect on their physical and psychoemotional well-being. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of asthma/COPD nurses' in primary health care (PHC) of educating patients with COPD. A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted, with interviews of 12 asthma/COPD nurses. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings are presented in two themes: Theme 1, receiving support results in a feeling of security, which enables the development of patient education; and Theme 2, a lack of support results in a feeling of insecurity, which makes it difficult to develop patient education. The asthma/COPD nurses were individual orientated with individualization of care, but the patient's mood, the varying support of those around and the nurses' varying degrees of security affected the education. The conclusion is that the asthma/COPD nurses' experience of patient education fluctuated between insecurity and security. The nurses' feeling of insecurity in their patient education can be strengthened through support from colleagues and by increased knowledge in promoting the learning of others. Collaborative teamwork with a well-functioning asthma/COPD clinic in PHC can facilitate and improve patient services; these initiatives can enable the asthma/COPD nurses to reach their full potential.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation increases functional capacity and quality of life and decrease exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but there is little knowledge of how it influences their next of kin.

Aims: To describe the experience of a multidisciplinary programme of pulmonary rehabilitation in primary health care from the perspective of the next of kin.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken as part of a longitudinal study comprising a multidisciplinary programme for patients with COPD where the next of kin were invited to one session. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 next of kin and analysed by qualitative content analysis.

Results: One main theme emerged — Life still remains overshadowed by illness. There were three sub-themes: a sense of deepened understanding; a sense of personal vulerability; and a sense of relief of burden.

Conclusions: The next of kin's life was still overshadowed by illness, despite the multidisciplinary programme. Although experiencing positive outcomes two years after the programme, the next of kin expressed a need for more support. This study has shown that next of kin could benefit from their own participation and/or that of the patient in a multidisciplinary programme of pulmonary rehabilitation. We believe that next of kin should be offered primary health care support for the sake of their own health, but also in order to manage their informal caregiver role. The experiences described here could form a basis for further development of interventions for next of kin of patients with COPD.

Aim: To describe experiences among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of the lasting usefulness one year after participating in a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme in a primary health care (PHC)setting.

Background: COPD affects patients’ functioning in daily life. In a previous study, the patients participated in a programme for PR and were found to increase their functional capacity, quality of life and decrease exacerbations. The present study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the experience of participating in the programme.

Design: The study has a descriptive, qualitative design and is part of a longitudinal study on a multidisciplinary programme for PR of patients with COPD.

Method: Semi-structured interviews with 20 participants were performed and data analysed by qualitative content analysis. Findings: The findings are presented in one theme that illustrates the participants’ experience of their current situation; I live life at my own pace, and three sub-themes illustrating this experience related to the participation in the programme; Awareness of limitations in my life; Regained control over my life; and No change in my life.

Conclusion: Irrespective of whether the patients had already found their own strategies for managing the disease or whether the programme changed their lives, they lived their lives at their own pace. However, their lives were shadowed by worry.

Relevance to clinical practice: A multidisciplinary programme for PR in PHC could be an alternative for patients suffering from COPD, in order to facilitate for them in their daily life. It is suggested that the inclusion of patients in such groups should be based on each individual’s need based on symptoms or functional capacity in everyday life, not based on spirometry values.