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A Qualitative Study of Individuals at Risk for or Who Have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: What Do They Understand About Their Disease?

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Abstract

This qualitative study examined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knowledge and attitudes among patients at risk for or with COPD. Participants perceived lung cancer as the primary lung disease of concern to their health and were largely unaware of COPD. Overall, the primary care patients expressed a desire to obtain additional information regarding their lung condition and, among smokers, information to help motivate them to quit smoking. An age-related metaphor, “MyLungAge” was well received and understood and may help facilitate successful management of COPD patients. Providing patients with their lung age at the point of diagnosis may be an optimum time to promote behavioral change and will require further investigation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the patients who participated in the focus groups and Ms. Hilda Castillo and Mr. Jerome McMurray who helped facilitate the recruitment of the patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Primary Care and Prevention, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI, 02860, USA

    Donna R. Parker, Roberta E. Goldman & Charles B. Eaton

  2. Department of Community Health, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Donna R. Parker

  3. Department of Family Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Roberta E. Goldman & Charles B. Eaton

Authors
  1. Donna R. Parker
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  2. Roberta E. Goldman
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  3. Charles B. Eaton
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Correspondence to Donna R. Parker.

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Parker, D.R., Goldman, R.E. & Eaton, C.B. A Qualitative Study of Individuals at Risk for or Who Have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: What Do They Understand About Their Disease?. Lung 186, 313–316 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-008-9091-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-008-9091-9

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