Patient Perceptions on the Role of Informal Caregiver Support in Managing Advanced COPD.

ABSTRACT: People with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience a high physical burden which limits their activities and leads to social isolation, loneliness, and burdening social networks, with informal caregivers playing a crucial role in managing their condition. This study explored the views of people with COPD on informal caregiving, highlighting lifestyle adjustments and caregiver-patient dynamics. A qualitative study using semistructured interviews was conducted with 22 participants with advanced COPD recruited from palliative care services. Three themes emerged: patient autonomy, adapting to life under medical constraints and caregiver's understanding of patients' needs. Health deterioration caused patient dependency on caregivers, along with feelings of burden, frust

SUBMITTER: Goncalves B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12301613 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature