Living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : patients concerns regarding death and dying.

Gardiner, Clare and Gott, Merryn and Small, Neil and Payne, Sheila and Seamark, David and Barnes, Sarah and Halpin, David and Ruse, Charlotte (2009) Living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : patients concerns regarding death and dying. Palliative Medicine, 23 (8). pp. 691-697. ISSN 1477-030X

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Abstract

Prognosis in COPD is poor and many patients perceive shortcomings in the education they receive about aspects of their condition. This study explores the experiences of patients with COPD, particularly fears surrounding death and dying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 patients with moderate or severe COPD. Findings revealed that patient understanding of COPD was poor, most patients were unaware of the progressive nature of the condition, and few were aware they could die of COPD. Despite this, patients often expressed concerns that their condition might deteriorate. Patients had particular concerns regarding the manner of their death; the overriding fear was dying of breathlessness or suffocation. None of the patients’ had discussed these fears with a health care professional. Improved patient education is needed in order to improve patients understanding of their condition and prognosis. Open communication regarding death, as advocated in a palliative care approach, is also appropriate to alleviate patients fears and to allow them to make decisions regarding the management of their care at the end of life.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Palliative Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2703
Subjects:
?? palliative care • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease • communication • death and dyinganesthesiology and pain medicinemedicine(all)r medicine (general) ??
ID Code:
32717
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
15 Apr 2010 07:08
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
28 Nov 2023 11:10