A feeling of not being alone - Patients' with COPD experiences of a group-based self-management education with a digital website: A qualitative study.
Mia Berglund, Susanne Andersson, Anna Kjellsdotter
PMID 38641867WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with COPD described combining group education with a digital website as reducing feelings of loneliness and supporting continuous learning.
They valued the website for looking up information before and after sessions, but noted it could not replace the shared experience and reflection that only a physical group provides.
Key findings
01The combination of physical group sessions and a digital website supports learning, with the website allowing patients to review information before, during, and after sessions.
02Sharing experiences with others living with COPD in a group setting reduces feelings of loneliness and creates a sense of security.
03Patients requested more time and space in group sessions for informal sharing and discussion of personal experiences, rather than only specialised lectures.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a Swedish context, which may limit transferability to other healthcare systems. Participants were recruited from a specific hospital programme and may not represent all patients with COPD. The website was only used by those with technical skills and access, potentially excluding some patients.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the Research and Development Centre at Skaraborg Hospital and the Skaraborg Institute.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this study as evidence that a digital website alone can replace group-based education. Participants explicitly stated that the website could not provide the shared experience and reduction of loneliness that the physical group offered.