Description

The prevalent, preventable, and treatable condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by ongoing respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow caused by abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema), which are typically brought on by prolonged exposure to harmful particles or gases. Dyspnea, coughing, sputum production, and exacerbations are among the chronic respiratory symptoms of COPD. COPD is a global public health issue and one of the main causes of death and illness, particularly in developing nations. Approximately 30 million Americans are thought to suffer from COPD. Up to half of them are not even aware that they have it. The leading cause of chronic disease, COPD is expected to rank seventh globally in terms of disease burden by 2030. According to estimates, the prevalence of COPD in individuals over 40 is between 4 and 20% worldwide, and 6.3% in Asians. In addition, it is the fourth most frequent reason for hospitalization and the biggest financial burden among chronic illnesses affecting elderly patients.

People with COPD should be given self-management support, according to national and international recommendations for managing the condition. Hospitalizations, COPD-specific health expenses, and health-related quality of life have all been demonstrated to improve when people with COPD receive interventions that promote self-management. Although self-care is implied by the name "self," self-management always entails collaboration with a health care provider, who plays a supportive role. In general, COPD self-management programs are designed to give participants the skills necessary to follow long-term disease-specific medication regimes. The goals of SPACE for COPD, a Self-Management Program of Activity Coping and Education, are to help individuals with COPD manage daily tasks, reduce symptom load, encourage behavior changes that improve health, and improve psychological well-being. Programs for self-management should include physical activity, quitting smoking, managing social interactions, managing medications, and being able to identify and react to symptoms. The SPACE for COPD guidebook, which incorporates both general self-management techniques and disease-specific activities, serves as the framework for the program. Few studies have attempted to assess the cost-effectiveness of self-management programs for individuals with COPD. Some studies simply included the program's expenses. Self-management programs have been shown to be cost-effective in both lowering costs and improving patient outcomes.

This study is significant because it has the potential to concentrate on non-pharmacological interventions, such as self-management programs. A self-management program (SMP) for COPD is a patient-oriented approach that enables the patient to take charge of their condition through appropriate choice making, physical activity, emotional management, education on a continuous basis and encouraging adherence to the treatment plans. Such a program aims at enhancing the quality of life of the patient, and decreasing the frequency of exacerbations while increasing the overall functional ability of the patient. Moreover it reduces hospital admissions and emergency room visits which can alleviate pressure on healthcare systems. Self-management program (SMP) can raise awareness about COPD leading to greater community support. Improved management of symptoms can lead to a more active lifestyle for patients, benefiting overall societal health and productivity.