Exploration of practice with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the patients perspectives on the treatment.

Background: Communication during treatment with NIV is
difficult because of the mask itself, the noise from the machine
and patients distress. Assessment of life expectancy and end stage
COPD is difficult and often discussed in the clinical setting,
especially with regards to continuation of respiratory assistance /
NIV as life-sustaining treatment.
There is little knowledge of how the patients experience NIV.
Health professionals express a need for developing new clinical
strategies which draws on patients perspectives.
Method: This study is based on critical psycological practice
research where a co-researchers’ group was set up to describe and
analyze practice of NIV treatment in collaboration with the
researcher. Health professionals contributed with experience-based
issues, and the researcher contributed with issues based on a
combination of fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with 16
patients and 4 relatives.
Results: Patient interviews revealed that 15 patients expected
and wanted to be treated with NIV even though 10 of the
interviewed described fear during treatment and 14 experienced
more or less discomfort.
Conclusion: The practice research approach facilitated ongoing
development of clinical practice related to NIV treatment. In particular,
the investigation of patient perspectives generated results
that were highly productive in qualifying the multidisciplinary
cooperation and in developing and implementing new management
strategies.
The research project runs from 2011 to 2014 where further
results will be available.