Comprehensive Effects of Organized Education for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Jong Geol Jang,1 Jee Seon Kim,2 Jin Hong Chung,1 Kyeong Cheol Shin,1 June Hong Ahn,1 Mi Sook Lee,3 So Hee Bang,3 Da Yeong Park,3 Mee Jung Nam,3 Hyun Jung Jin,1,* Kwan Ho Lee1,* 1Division of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Medical Center, College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Semyeong Christianity Hospital, Pohang, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Education and Management Services, Yeungnam University Medical Center,College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hyun Jung JinDivision of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of KoreaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Despite the increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide, knowledge and awareness of COPD remain extremely low. This prospective study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of organized educational intervention.Patients and methods: The study participants included patients diagnosed with COPD and receiving inhaler treatment. In this prospective study, the patients made three sequential visits to the hospital (baseline, 1 month, 3 months). On their first and second visits, patients received systematic education about COPD. On their first and third visits, each patient was evaluated using a COPD Assessment Test, COPD Knowledge Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.Results: Fifty-five participants were enrolled in the study. The mean COPD knowledge score before and after education was 12.51±3.19 and 17.89±1.37, respectively, indicating a significant increase in the score post-education (P<0.001). The measure of patients’ inhaler technique also significantly improved after education (5.40±1.50 vs 6.83±0.37 P=0.01). The rate of depression and anxiety after education decreased by 10.9% and 12.7%, respectively (P<0.001). In subgroup analysis, we compared the groups whose knowledge score increased by more than 5 points (Group B) and those whose score did not improve (Group A). In Group B, the mean CAT score significantly improved (2.61±5.88 vs −2.41±7.48, P=0.01), and the duration of their COPD diagnosis before enrollment was significantly shorter (2.72±2.43 vs 5.22±5.11 years, P=0.038) compared to those in Group A.Conclusion: An organized educational program resulted in improved disease-specific knowledge. Disease-specific education is an important part of the treatment of COPD that affects the quality of life and emotional status of patients. Early education after COPD diagnosis can be beneficial.Keywords: anxiety, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, education, quality of life

Keywords

• anxiety
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• depression
• education
• quality of life