Illness experiences of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: self-perceived efficacy of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the illness experiences, the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation as perceived by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their rationale for improvements in health. 23 patients participated in a daily, three-month home-based pulmonary rehabilitation. A pre-post self-perceived assessment of efficacy was conducted. Semi-structured interviews, illness narratives and participant-observation provided a “dense description” of patients' lived-experience before and after the program. Interviews and narratives were tape-recorded, transcribed and coded. Qualitative data was subjected to “thematic content analysis” and “contextualized semantic interpretation”. Patients compare functional status before and after falling ill, experience loss, stigma and depression, describe health improvements and judge the pulmonary rehabilitation’s efficacy. Giving voice to chronically-ill patients, as individuals, is needed. To reduce clinical conflicts, health professionals should encourage illness narratives and value their patients’ lived-experience.

The effects of inspiratory muscle training based on the perceptions of patients with advanced lung disease: a qualitative study

“…In these patients, IMT could modify the larynx activity and speech dynamic, thus being able to improve communication disorders. 34 Baker et al, 35 in a single subject study design, evaluated the effects of IMT in a patient with bilateral paralysis of the abductors of the vocal folds. The results of this study showed that after 5 weeks of IMT, there was a 47% increase in respiratory muscle strength, which implied a reduction in dyspnea during speech and a decrease in the number and length of pauses while reading out loud.…”

“…The results of this study showed that after 5 weeks of IMT, there was a 47% increase in respiratory muscle strength, which implied a reduction in dyspnea during speech and a decrease in the number and length of pauses while reading out loud. 35 Several studies have shown the effects of IMT in patients with lung diseases 12,29,30 ; however, none of them evaluated the effects of the training from the perspective of the patient. The effects of the IMT from the patient's view can be considered the strength of the present study.…”

Estudo de caso: experiência em educação ambiental para profissionais do Sistema Único de Saúde

“…Verificou-se também que aquelas pessoas reconheciam a relação entre saúde humana e o meio ambiente (Quadro 2) sendo citados exemplos, tais como, a significativa ocorrência de incêndios florestais na RMVA (Figura 2) favorecendo a absorção de substâncias químicas capazes de desencadear as afecções pulmonares (PINTO et al, 2014). Constatou-se que as metodologias utilizadas oportunizaram aos participantes interagir com diferentes circunstâncias do meio ambiente regional favorecendo a construção de referenciais capazes de produzir ações práticas relacionadas com a sustentabilidade ambiental (LUZZI, 2012).…”