Education Program for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Name: psychoeducational intervention for people with COPD The aims of intervention are to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve health-related quality of life in people with COPD by increasing individuals’ daily self-management skills. The psychoeducational intervention is an adaptation of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-management Program (CDSMP) developed in the United States. Ruixue Cao, the Phd Candidate of the University of Newcastle, will delivery the intervention. Her supervisors Prof. Sally Chan and Dr Graeme Browne will provide guidance during the intervention delivery. The psychoeducational intervention is a face to face group intervention, which consisted of weekly action planning, modelling of behaviours, problem solving, interpretation of symptoms, symptoms management techniques, individual decision making and feedback. Topics of psychoeducational intervention covered include: 1)techniques to cope with issues like fatigue, isolation and pain; 2) appropriate exercise aiming to maintain and enhance strength, endurance and flexibility; 3) appropriate use of medications; 4) effective communication with health professionals, family and friends; 5) healthy diet; 6) decision making.The psychoeducational intervention will consist of six weekly, 2.5 hour sessions led by one educator (Ruixue Cao). Each group will consist of up to 12 participants. During the six weeks' intervention, the participants will received message or phone weekly for reminding them to attend the intervention on time. The psychoeducational intervention will be held in a community clinic which is convenient for the participants.