Role of the nurse in educating hospitalized patients with COPD on the self-management of the disease

Information for nursing staff, 2024, 56(1), 10-14.

Cv. Petkova, E. Dimitrova

Department of Therapeutic Nursing, Faculty of Health Care, MU – Pleven

Abstract. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable and treatable and is characterized by airflow limitation in the airways. At the initial diagnosis of the disease, patients undergo training, including a recommended hygiene and dietary regime, correct inhaler technique, handling crisis situations, etc. Its purpose is to enable them to self-manage their disease and, through strict adherence to medical therapy and lifestyle and lifestyle changes, to maintain an acceptably good level of their quality of life. Target: To establish the effectiveness of training for patients with COPD and the place of the nurse in this process. Materials and methods: Sociological methods: Documentary method – the available literature on the problem was studied; survey method – an anonymous survey was conducted covering 47 hospitalized patients with COPD in 2 medical facilities in the city of Pleven; interview with 6 of the pulmonologists in the medical facilities where the study was conducted. Statistical methods: The obtained data were processed with program products MS Office Excel, SPSS Statistics Version 20. Results: The anonymous survey was conducted in the period from November 2022 to March 2023 at University Multidisciplinary Hospital for Active Treatment – Pleven, and Multidisciplinary Hospital for Active Treatment at Military Medical Academy – Pleven. The proportion of patients who reported having received initial education was high at 31 (65.9%), but only 14 (29.8%) reported that it was provided by the nurse working with the pulmonologist who treated them. Conclusion: The nurse is part of the team caring for patients with COPD, but there are opportunities to expand her involvement in their education process. It will thus provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their illness and achieve a better level of quality of life.

Key words: nurse, training, patients, COPD

Address for correspondence: Assoc. prof. E. Dimitrova, PhD, e-mail: nia62@abv.bg