The psychosocial implications of social distancing for people with COPD: some exploratory issues facing a uniquely marginalised group during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an illness associated with intersectional poverty and stigma in old age; people with COPD are susceptible to anxiety, loneliness and isolation. People with COPD who contract COVID-19 are at high risk of serious complications, intensive medical needs and death and are, therefore, required to socially distance particularly assiduously. This paper offers an embodied phenomenological analysis of the emerging theoretical literature exploring the impact of social distancing upon people with COPD. Firstly, people with COPD are aware of how respiratory illness feels, are anxious about COVID-19 and afraid of being denied care. Future research might consider how people with COPD may be susceptible to “coronaphobia” and mental health consequences of the pandemic. Secondly, COPD tends to affect older people within the most intersectionally marginalised socioeconomic groups. Future research should remain mindful that people with COPD may be among the most lonely and least able to access health and social care services online than others. Thirdly, pandemics are known to intensify pre-existing social stigmas. Researchers and practitioners alike should be conscious that people with COPD may become increasingly stigmatised, especially those from intersectionally disadvantaged minorities.

Singing for People with Advance Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

“…Although the online delivery of singing programs improved mood and enjoyment, some participants reported experiencing difficulties with social interactions in the online format alongside other barriers such as limited digital literacy and technical difficulties [ 34 ]. These findings build on the existing literature which indicates that people with COPD may be among the most susceptible to loneliness and least able to access healthcare services online [ 45 ]. The delivery of singing programs online assumes participants have both access and capability to utilize technology.…”

“…The delivery of singing programs online assumes participants have both access and capability to utilize technology. Yet, current evidence suggests that many people with COPD are unable to access the internet [ 45 ]. Furthermore, the broad changes in societal behaviors over the last twenty years, in which many interpersonal interactions occur online with the growing use of social media and video conferencing, have excluded those who do not have or cannot access the internet [ 45 ].…”

“…Yet, current evidence suggests that many people with COPD are unable to access the internet [ 45 ]. Furthermore, the broad changes in societal behaviors over the last twenty years, in which many interpersonal interactions occur online with the growing use of social media and video conferencing, have excluded those who do not have or cannot access the internet [ 45 ]. Nevertheless, for socially isolated patients or those living in rural or remote communities (particularly in geographically vast countries), the adaptation of interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation and singing for lung health programs to an online format following the pandemic has increased accessibility and uptake [ 46 ].…”

“…The need to evaluate the accessibility and coordination of all healthcare services relevant in a rural and remote setting has been recommended [ 48 ]. The transition to online delivery of health interventions including programs such as singing programs should avoid further isolating patients who do not have access to digital technology due to poverty, remoteness, lack of infrastructure or discomfort with such innovations [ 45 ].…”

Calidad de vida y salud mental en EPOC por biomasa y tabaquismo con COVID-19

“…En cambio, no hubo diferencias con respecto a la prevalencia de ansiedad en nuestra encuesta en comparación con lo reportado por Hernández-Pérez et al 7 No exploramos causas de ansiedad, pero en otros estudios que evaluaron ansiedad y depresión en población con COVID-19, encontraron que se asociaba al hecho de no contar con seguimiento en sus consultas. 12 Probablemente nuestra población, que pudo ser seguida por telemedicina y además durante la pandemia se le otorgó medicamento gratuito, no tuvo el mismo impacto que otros estudios reportan en cuanto a ansiedad. De hecho, los pacientes siempre nos agradecieron este medio de contacto con ellos y reportaron de manera explícita que los hacía sentir seguros.…”