The power of self-management in a copd patient

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Because of its high prevalence and the possibility to be highly invalidating, costs related to COPD may constitute a very important economical and social commitment for the healthcare system. Self management, in such scenario, can be regarded as a possible solution.
Objectives: Assess the outcomes of patients affected by copd after a self management program.
Methods: Starting from Pubmed, Scopus, Cinahl and Cochrane database from June 2017, a research has been carried out. Articles on patients affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease using self management were selected and compared with control groups receiving a standard assistance. Here are some of the outcomes: improvement of Qol, less visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations, and users’ satisfaction.
Outcomes: Almost every study, regardless of what is included in the self management program, showed an improvement in the quality of life in all patients. A good part of the studies show that, if self management is used long term, it can lead to a reduction of hospitalization for exacerbation and visits to the emergency room. On the other hand, only a few studies considered the users’ satisfaction.
Conclusions: In copd patients, learning skills and behaviors helping them to live well with the disease, delaying its complications, is essential. For this reason, the main component of all self management program is therapeutic education.