COPD patients and exacerbation rescue medications
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients’ experiences of self-managing COPD exacerbations with rescue medication packs: An Exploratory Study
IRAS ID
157246
Contact name
Lucy Brindle
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Previous studies have shown that promptly treating flare ups of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with antibiotic and oral steroids can speed up recovery. UK guidelines (NICE: National Institute of Clinical Excellence, 2010) recommend that COPD patients are given a ‘rescue pack’ consisting of a course of antibiotic and steroid medication (a medicine that reduces inflammation when irritation occurs in the lungs) to keep in their home for immediate use when their breathing symptoms get worse in an exacerbation or ‘flare up’; patients are also given written advice on how to manage a flare-up, also known as a self-management plan.
To know when to use their medication pack, patients are required to distinguish between the onset of an acute exacerbation and other changes in health; previous research suggests that COPD patients can delay up to 6 days before taking their rescue pack. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence COPD patients decisions' about when to start using rescue medication packs. The study findings will help health care professionals to have a better understanding of the preferences, knowledge, skills and experiences of COPD patients in managing their rescue packs and to devise future strategies to support patients to identify when prompt use of rescue medication is required.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1753
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion