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A learning needs assessment is an important component of developing effective patient education. In this comparative-descriptive study, researchers examined the perceived learning needs and preferred learning styles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the topics care providers believe are important to teach patients with COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow obstruction which is generally irreversible and progressive. The airflow limitation usually is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response related to exposure to noxious substances (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD], 2005), and is seen most commonly in chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 120,000 Americans in 2002 (National Center for Health Statistics, 2002). Nearly 10.7 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with COPD, but as many as 24 million U.S. adults have evidence of impaired lung function. In 2004, the economic burden of COPD in the United States was estimated at $37.2 billion (American Lung Association [ALA], 2005). The patient's burden from COPD is enormous due to significant functional disability, frequent troublesome symptoms, and a negative impact on quality of life (Vermeire, 2002).
COPD is progressive and incurable; therefore management is aimed at controlling symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. The chronic nature of COPD requires that patients develop skills to self-manage their disease. Self-management necessitates education regarding the techniques and interventions a patient may perform to control his or her symptoms and slow the advance of the disease. Effective and satisfying patient education must include not only the content educators believe is necessary for disease self-management, but also the information the patient values and desires (Knowles, 1970, 1990). In addition, that content must be delivered in a manner consistent with the learning style preferences of the learner (Kitchie, 2003). Patient-centered education developed in accordance with the patient's needs and perspectives is a key factor in managing chronic disease (Redman, 2004). The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived learning needs and preferred learning styles of patients with COPD, as well as identify the educational topics health care providers believe are important to patients' self-management.
Background
Patient education for COPD. Patient education...