EASE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Qualitative Evaluation of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self-Management for Life Programme (EASE)

• IRAS ID

  168494

• Contact name

  Clare Clement

• Contact email

  c.clement@swansea.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Background
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressively disabling condition characterised by impaired respiratory function and is associated with physical limitations and psychological co-morbidity. Available pharmacological treatment is limited in its ability to reduce exacerbation and it is therefore necessary to seek alternative approaches to manage the disease. One such approach is the Self-Management for Life Programme (SML4) which aims to enable people with COPD to self-manage their condition. Evidence for the impact of such programmes has been mainly limited to quantitative measures which have yielded mixed findings.

  Aims and objectives
  The aim of the study will be to evaluate the qualitative effects of the COPD SM4L programme on the Health Related Quality of Life (HQRL) of COPD patients in order to improve the delivery of health care in the future.
  Objectives of the study will address patient, family member/friends/carers and programme delivery staff perspectives of the immediate and longer-term effect of the SML4 programme; document expectations, satisfaction and suggestions for service improvements as well as ascertaining any differences between reports from patients, family members/friends/carers and programme staff and explore reasons for this difference.

  Methods
  Patients, family members/friends/carers and programme delivery staff experiences and views will be sought through the use of focus groups (3 focus groups). Participants will be recruited from the Hywel Dda University Health Board and be those who have been involved with the SM4L programme in the previous year.
  Transcripts from the focus groups will be analysed using a thematic approach which uses individual and group activities to identify patterns or themes emerging from the data.

  A report will detail findings from the study and will include recommendations for future delivery of this or other self-management programmes for COPD patients.

• REC name

  South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/SW/0020

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Jan 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion