A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis of Self-management Experiences of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

This study aimed to comprehensively review the self-management experiences of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) through meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. The method of this study was applied to Meta-ethnography of Noblit and Hare. Five databases were used to search the literature: PubMed, CINAHL, RISS, DBpia, National Assembly Library and searching keyword were ‘COPD’, ‘self management’, ‘experiences’, and ‘qualitative research’. 371 references were identified and relating to six qualitative studies were included in the review. Three themes were synthesized: “Perceived severity of symptoms”, “Coping strategies” and “Support system of disease management”. Through this study, it was possible to improve the understanding of self management experiences of COPD patients. The results of this study made grounds of a coping strategies for developing self-management programs of COPD patients.