Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Lebanon: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Lebanon has the fastest growing older adult population in the Arab region but few social resources to address their needs. No studies have explored the experience of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Lebanon. Aims: Exploring the experiences of individuals living with COPD in Lebanon. Method: Using a descriptive phenomenological research design, qualitative individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with COPD patients living in Lebanon, between May 2019 and September 2019. Results: Fifty participants agreed to be interviewed. The majority were men (56%) and had moderate COPD (40%). Mean age was 71.5 (standard deviation 9.0) years. We found that COPD affects three dimensions of patients’ lives: educational, organizational and psychosocial. Conclusion: The results highlight the need for multidisciplinary strategies to address the needs of people with COPD in Lebanon, including their caregivers. Strategies include patient education and the development of new methods to facilitate and promote partnership between health care professionals, COPD patients and their caregivers.