Self-care issues from the perspective of individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study explored factors that influence self-care from the perspective of individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Seven focus groups were held with individuals who had physician diagnosed COPD and experienced daily symptoms that limited activities. Forty-two subjects participated in the study. All sessions were audiotaped, transcribed and coded independently. The main theme identified was surviving COPD: the context …