Energy management of COPD patients

Abstract

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a lung disease that causes damage in the patients lung and results in energy and breathing problems. COPD patients often experience a decrease in their energy level. This decrease means they have to adjust their routine and habits and that can be a big challenge.

In this graduation project the needs and challenges of COPD patients in regard to energy management are explored. The insights in the needs and challenges leads to a set of criteria. This set of criteria can be used to develop and evaluate e-health solutions that support COPD patients in energy management.

Needs
COPD patients have two general needs in regard to self-management: autonomy and security. They want to feel secure about their abilities and feel in control of their life.
Challenges
In order to adjust their routine and feel secure & autonomous the patients meets some challenges. Three groups, with a total of nine of challenges are defined based on interviews with patients. The three groups of challenges are: Keep focus on energy level and act if needed, Find new applicable routine, Put yourself in first place.

Needs for support
All the challenges of COPD patients lead to specific needs and needs for support. The needs for support are translated into criteria for e-health solution that help COPD patients with energy management.

Criteria
The result is a list of in total twenty validated criteria. The criteria can be used to evaluate concepts and when translated in a “how to.. “ question as guidens during ideation.