Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.
Jennifer Deane-King, Jamie Howell, Rebecca Maguire
PMID 41693062WHAT IT FOUND
COPD patients and caregivers described pandemic fear, anxiety and loneliness, plus reduced activity.
Some managed exacerbations at home. Telemedicine helped some, but others wanted face-to-face care.
Key findings
01Multiple studies found that the pandemic affected mental health, with fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety or loneliness reported.
02Physical activity declined during pandemic restrictions, and some people with COPD managed worsening breathing at home instead of seeking hospital care.
03Telemedicine use increased, but many participants in one study did not consider it suitable.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
Only two studies included caregivers, so caregiver findings are thin. The review included only English studies from 12 countries, so it may not represent many health systems. Many included studies were cross-sectional, so they describe experiences at a time point rather than change over time. The studies used different measures and designs, so findings cannot be combined into one result. Some studies did not report age or gender.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that telemedicine or online pulmonary rehabilitation worked for everyone. Some patients used it, but others could not access it or wanted face-to-face care, and caregiver evidence was very limited.