Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients With COPD and Their Families: Promoting a Comprehensive, Integrated Intervention Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

Patients with COPD often need assistance from their significant others (family member) to cope with the impacts of the disease. Family members are, therefore, the primary source of support to patients and may be affected by patient's condition through role changes, impact on social activities, emotional stress and financial burden.

Although the impact of COPD on family members is an emergent area of research, there are few interventions directed at supporting both patients and families. The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of changing the focus of the interventions for patients with chronic diseases and has recommended family integration in rehabilitation programs. In COPD, the inclusion of family members in PR programs, a core component of the management of patients with COPD, may contribute to promote a better adjustment of the whole family to the disease and, thus, improve their well-being. However, this has not been investigated yet.

The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of Family-based PR on patients with COPD and their family members.

This study will enroll patients with COPD and family members who are identified as their primary caregiver. Recruitment will take place at primary care centers via general practitioners.

A Family-based PR program will be designed according to a comprehensive literature review and the findings from a previous observational study exploring the expectations, needs and concerns of patients and family members about a Family-based PR program.