“Illness perception and self-efficacy in older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Abstract

This work is a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial, to be performed for 16 weeks in primary health care. It will start in the second half of 2013. It will compare the illness perception and selfefficacy on the elderly. The target population is the elderly diagnosed with COPD referenced by medical practitioner of the Oporto area. The intervention at group I consist in a multidisciplinary approach along 4  sessions. The group II will receive only a COPD manual developed by the Pulmonary Portuguese Society. The control group will not have any intervention. It will be apply to all groups instruments assessing quality of life, illness perception and self-efficacy. Follow-up appointments will be included also to all groups. It is possible that this study will include a cost-effectiveness approach from the public health care sector point of view.