COVID-19 and its impacts on health care service provided to COPD patients: a qualitative study with COPD patients and health care professionals

Clinical Research Results Abstract Introduction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients are especially vulnerable to viral respiratory tract infections, which can cause respiratory exacerbations. Many lives have been affected by the COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, especially for individuals with COPD and their care providers. We aimed to explore COPD patients’ and Healthcare Professionals’ (HCPs) views on the impact of COVID-19 on COPD patients, to explore the remote consultation and potential enablers and barriers to current practice. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely among COPD patients and HCPs in the West Midlands, UK. Patients recruited through the BLISS cohort who consented to future contact. HCPs recruited through the PCRS newsletter, local health committees and STPs. Interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six steps of thematic analysis. NVivo 12 was used to analyse the available interview transcripts. Results 12 interviews were conducted. Eight COPD patients were interviewed (five men, three women), median age 75.5, severity of disease ranging from moderate to very severe. The four HCPs’ age ranged from 30-50 years old, the majority were women, and 75% of interviewees had four or more years of practice experience. Three main themes generated from the data were: 1) coping and life adjustment; 2) the accessibility of NHS services; 3) health inequalities and e-health literacy. Discussion COPD patients and HCPs agreed that increased pressure on the health services led to a deterioration in providing COPD diagnosis and the quality of inhaler medication consultation, including spirometry services and demonstrations of inhaler techniques for new and current COPD patients. Considerable hurdles to overcome included those linked to health facilities access, COPD patients’ beliefs, restoration of COPD patients’ physical fitness capacity, and digital skills and education, predominantly in deprived areas, for telemedicine services. Declaration of InterestThis work was supported by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in the UK. Research Idea Abstract Service Development & Evaluation Abstract Declaration of Interest References and Clinical Trial Registry Information