Psychosocial Dimensions of COPD for the Patient and Family

摘要: This chapter will review our current understanding from the qualitative research literature on experience of COPD for patient and family. It provide exemplars author’s past to ground these concepts within family experience. Whilst into symptom measurement, functional biochemical measurements lung function pharmacological outcomes give important insights physiological dimensions COPD, methodologies that explore psychosocial are not always well understood. Research output is increasingly valued according clearly definable ‘Levels Evidence’ (National Health Medical Council, 2009). approach makes visible rigour processes underpin clinical evidence considers practices confirmed at one extreme by double-blinded, randomised, controlled trials, through accepted wisdom experts in field. Demonstrable particularly when evaluating safety efficacy new drugs interventions. In this case, large sample-sizes, strict control variables meticulous monitoring protocol maintain objectivity means clinicians can weigh up, with confidence, therapeutic choices available them. quantitative relies statistical methods determine ‘truth’.