%0 Journal Article
%T Breathing through a troubled life ¨C a phenomenological-hermeneutic study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients¡¯ lived experiences during the course of pulmonary rehabilitation
%A Charlotte Simon£¿
%A Ingrid Charlotte Andersen
%A Regner Birkelund
%A Uffe Bodtger
%J International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1647401
%X ABSTRACT Purpose: Exploring real-life experiences of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients during rehabilitation can contribute with new knowledge of what has significance for their participation and chance for improved health and well-being. Therefore, this study aims to gain in-depth knowledge of COPD patients¡¯ lived experiences while following standard pulmonary out-patient rehabilitation. Methods: Combined participant observations and interviews were conducted among 21 participants in pulmonary rehabilitation. A three-leveled phenomenological-hermeneutic interpretation was applied. Results: Living with COPD was challenging due to dyspnea and other physical troubles. This caused a lack of trust in the body and complicated rehabilitation participation. When improving management of breath during rehabilitation, the patients gained a new sense of trust in the body. This was accompanied by a nascent hope and increased well-being. However, not succeeding in this left patients with a persistent lack of hope. Conclusions: Comprehensive troubles in living with COPD paradoxically prevents patients¡¯ prospect of overcoming a perceived lack of trust in their body during standard pulmonary rehabilitation. Enhancing breath management has a significant impact on COPD patients¡¯ trust in own capabilities to improve well-being and health. Future rehabilitation must accommodate COPD patients¡¯ troubles by longer-lasting, well-coordinated, individually supportive and more easily accessible programmes
%U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17482631.2019.1647401