Lv-Mei Huang, Chun-Yan Tan, Xia Chen, Ya-Juan Jiang, Yan-Rui Zhou, Hong Zhao

Department of Basic Nursing, School of Nursing, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421000, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Hong Zhao, Department of Basic Nursing, School of Nursing, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15173458044, Email zhaohong779900@163.com

Background: Understanding patients’ perceptions of their illness may be more beneficial for healthcare providers in maintaining vigilance than merely focusing on the clinical status of patients. As patients’ perceptions can significantly influence their behavior, it is possible that health care providers who are aware of patients’ thoughts in advance may help improve their intervention programs, such as increased treatment adherence. However, current research offers limited insight into the subjective perceptions of disease among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This study aims to deeply explore COPD patients’ illness perception and coping behaviors.
Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was used, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with 32 COPD patients, and verbatim data recording. Data analysis was based on thematic analysis methods proposed by Braun and Clarke.
Results: Through data analysis, we identified three themes to describe participants’ perceptions and coping behaviors related to COPD: inadequate knowledge regarding the disease, improper self-management of the disease, and diverse impacts resulting from the disease.
Conclusion: Illness perception is crucial for COPD patients. Participants’ descriptions underscored their perceptions of the disease as well as the various challenges and consequences they face when dealing with it. To enhance care for individuals with COPD, researchers and healthcare professionals should increase awareness about the disease among patients, understanding their coping strategies, beliefs, and recognizing its significant impacts.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, illness perception, coping behaviors, qualitative research