Patient views on three key service areas within hospital COPD care

Abstract

Objective The views of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) about three key services (non-invasive ventilation [NIV], early discharge schemes and rehabilitation) were sought in order to inform recommendations for the delivery of optimum care within a national programme of hospital COPD service development.

Design Four focus groups were run involving 36 COPD patients, facilitated by two researchers. Tape recordings were transcribed and emergent grouped themes identified.

Setting Four locations across the UK.

Results Of the three service areas considered, two (NIV and early discharge) were unknown to the majority of patients despite their strong evidence base and national recommendations for implementation. Where patients were familiar with a service they made consistent and useful recommendations for improving care. Those recently hospitalized reported insufficient information provision for them to make personal informed choices about key management interventions.

Conclusion Patients have important views on services with which they are familiar and if consulted can significantly contribute to their development. This report has identified a lack of knowledge amongst the majority of patients consulted about recent key NHS medical and service developments. At a group level this impairs the contributions that patients may make to forming service profiles. At an individual level, lack of prior knowledge places patients in a vulnerable position when admitted to hospital and asked to make informed decisions about their care.