Self-management programs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: do they have a sustained effect on health resource utilization?

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by airway obstruction and symptoms that aggravate during exacerbations. It represents a significant economic burden owing to the increased use of health services, which could be prevented by adequate disease management. Self-management programs are aimed at complementing medical management by teaching COPD patients to understand their condition and cope appropriately with it, both in the stable state and during exacerbations. The current study demonstrates that, in COPD patients, such programs reduce health resource utilization and improve health status, and that these effects might be sustained. However, the target COPD population that would benefit the most from such an intervention and the related cost-benefit are yet to be found.

Keywords::

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• health resource utilization
• self-management programs