Participatory action research: A strategy for improving self-care management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Participatory action research (PAR) facilitates the change process in clinical practice and promotes knowledge development. This paper highlights the potential of PAR to implement changes in healthcare oriented for the development of self-care management skills in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD patients, the preservation of self-care autonomy and quality of life depends on the patients’ ability to adopt pharmacological treatments and behavioural changes. In a Portuguese central hospital nurses (n = 52) have identified a gap between the nursing care and the perceived needs of the patients, and developed a healthcare solution based on a PAR methodology supported by an overlapping cycle of action and research. The PAR took place during 14 months. The PAR allowed the change in the care model in use, in the organization and the nursing care documentation. This change was focused on the development of self-care management skills, responding to the needs and expectations of those involved. The PAR proved to be an appropriate methodology to identify and implement changes that contribute to the safety, quality and access to healthcare.