W6 Soap Study paper on COPD.

Answer

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 

Q1.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that obstructs the normal airflow from the lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the renowned conditions that sum up COPD. Pathophysiology is the advancement of adverse operational changes that are associated with the disease (Babcock, 2019). It begins with an inflammatory amplification response in the lungs immediately after inhalation of toxins. Even though tobacco smoke is the renowned stimulus, additional risk elements for the development of COPD comprises inhalation of other chemical and dust from a toxic environment. The Symptoms include cough, wheezing, mucus production, and breathing difficulty. Usually, COPD is greatly associated with increased mortality and morbidity (Babcock, 2019). . 

Currently, there isn’t a specific drug cure for COPD that reduces the steady decline in lung functionality, which guarantees this disease. It is only smoking cessation that is the major intervention that proves effective in helping people recover. Currently, (COPD) is mainly symptomatic and based largely on bronchodilators, which include theophylline, anticholinergics, short and long action, or a combination of all these drugs. Usually, glucocorticoids are generally not recommended to patients with steady mild to moderate COPD following their side effects, lack of efficiency, and high cost. A pharmacological scheme for COPD is seriously needed since the current treatments but only the use of evidence-based treatment methods (Gossec et al., 2019). 

Q2.

 COPD is a major public health issue in the world today. Currently, there are several international guidelines for the management and diagnosis of COPD. With a diagnosis, consider COPD in a patient showing signs of sputum production, dyspnea, and chronic cough (Soler et al., 2017). Pulmonary function testing that involves post-bronchodilator examination demonstrating a low forced expiratory volume, both in the first force/second vital capacity ration, is needed for diagnosis. The severity of COPD can be assessed by determining the extent of airflow spirometer, exacerbation, and symptom severity (Soler et al., 2017). 

Both the national and international management of COPD guidelines serves to achieve the goal of reducing the exacerbation risk, reduced symptoms, and improving the quality of life. Clinical practice guidelines recommend patient management following in certain cases available evidence and education option in case of no direct evidence signs. The assessment majorly focuses on sputum symptoms, cough, breathlessness, confidence, sleep, energy levels, chest tightness, and activity.

Q3. 

COPD is most common in adults. It causes both the mental and physical suffering of the patients and even their families significantly. Usually, the quality of one’s life is closely linked to the quality of life lived by the people around them. The disproportionate effect of COPD is greater in people of low socioeconomic status owing to the sociopolitical factors, variation in health behavior, and structural and social environmental exposure. The law and medium-income people record-high number of deaths following COPD compared to those of high-income persons who can afford therapeutic services (Cook et al. 2019).  

Patients with COPD usually need attention and assistance from their kin to cope with the adverse impact of the disease. Therefore, family members are the primary source of help and are directly affected by their conditions. They suffer role change, emotional stress, social activity shift, personal relation, time commitments, general family activities, for instance, vocation and financial burdens in trying to seek a cure for their relatives. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends for family integration for a proper rehabilitation program for the patients suffering from COPD, which will directly impact the quality of their lives. The involvement contributes to a better adjustment of the entire family to the condition; thus, improving their safety (Cook et al. 2019).  

In general recovery, it is unclear whether the issues affecting families and communities of patients suffering specific COPD or people being involved in similar ways regarding the patient’s condition. Family members are usually critical in obtaining successful patient care following forged family bond that exists between them hence effective their lives directly or indirectly. 

Q4. 

COPD still record high numbers of deaths that relate to significant mobility and, in the long run, place substantial cost and burden on the health care systems of different nations.  Treatment of COPD does not follow a step-down approach used in the long-term treatment of chronic diseases (Gaveikaite et al., 2020). The chronic care model tends to shift the focus from acute management of the complications and symptoms to prevention and optimal control of chronic diseases. The model uses resources from the community as well as the health care system in emphasizing self-management, provision of comprehensive clinic support while implementing evidence-based guidelines, and technology in clinical practices to help deliver high-quality care services. 

In assessing the severity of COPD, there are factors to consider, like airflow constriction, symptoms, severity and frequency of exacerbations, respiratory failure presence, and the general health condition. Patient education is another component that is crucial in disease management. Individualized and corporate education is necessary for a management plan of COPD since it would serve to change people’s thinking and views of chronic diseases and patients (Gaveikaite et al., 2020).

The strategy of integrating multidisciplinary efforts by all healthcare providers from caregivers, nurses, and doctors would help enhance the quality of care as well as patient engagement standards in treating COPD. Also, the care-coordination helps make the patients feel that the healthcare providers are investing in their COPD care, hence developing trust in the treatment administered to them. Finally, developing a cloud-based communication site/platform would make it easier to connect the patients and healthcare providers.  The cloud-delivered solution needs to integrate secure web chat, e-mail, video chats, and virtual visits and click to call in one tool to help bring together the parties involved in case of COPD emergency (Gaveikaite et al., 2020).Patient Education: Dietary and lifestyle changes (Vahhatpour, Collins, & Goldberg, 2019).