Colleen McGoldrick

Using a biographical narrative interpretive method, the project aims to explore the experiences of self-management in an individual living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Self-management programmes have long been used in the management of chronic disease. Individuals with COPD have been the target of these programmes in an attempt to improve quality of life outcomes, reduce hospitalisation and tackle the burden of disease. Despite the noted benefit of these programmes and continued education, issues with adhering to these concepts still remain a barrier.

This research will develop new knowledge and add to existing knowledge in understanding the 'epiphany' moments in an individual suffering from COPD. At this present time, health professionals still have a challenge with understanding why certain individuals adhere to 'good' self-management and why others do not achieve 'good' self-management. This research will impact on how COPD sufferers self-manage, which in turn will improve health outcomes for this group of individuals.