| Opis: | ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and represents an important public health problem, as it causes high morbidity, frequent hospitalizations, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Due to the chronic nature of the disease and frequent exacerbations, effective management of patients with COPD requires comprehensive and interdisciplinary healthcare. Nurses play an important role in this process, as they participate in monitoring patients’ health status, providing nursing care, delivering health education, and supporting patients in managing their disease. The aim of the study was to determine how nurses understand their role in the care of patients with COPD, which tasks they perform most frequently, what challenges they encounter, and what measures they consider important for improving the quality of healthcare for these patients.
Methods: A qualitative research approach and a descriptive method were used in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews based on previously prepared research questions. Six registered nurses who work with patients with COPD participated in the study. All participants were female, from different age groups, and their work experience ranged from 17 to 42 years. With the participants’ prior consent, the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and returned to the participants for verification. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively, responses were categorized into tables, codes were identified, and the findings were interpreted in the discussion and conclusion.
Results: The results of the study showed that nurses perceive their role in the care of patients with COPD as very important and multifaceted. In their daily work, they most frequently monitor patients’ health status, administer prescribed therapy and oxygen therapy, and assist in diagnostic procedures. An important part of their work is also health education, where patients receive information about the disease, proper use of inhaled medications, recognition of signs of disease exacerbation, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Nurses also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians, physiotherapists, and other members of the healthcare team. Among the greatest challenges in caring for patients with COPD, they highlighted staff shortages, lack of time for individual patient care, and difficulties in motivating patients to participate in their treatment.
Discussion: The findings show that nurses have an important role in the comprehensive care of patients with COPD, particularly in monitoring patients’ health status, administering therapy, and providing health education. Although nurses perform their work professionally and with dedication, they often face organizational and staffing limitations in the care of patients. To improve the quality of healthcare for patients with COPD, it would be beneficial to ensure adequate staffing levels, strengthen preventive programs, and expand health education and patient education activities. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration should be encouraged, and additional professional training should be provided for healthcare professionals. |
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