Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With Stable COPD

Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With Stable COPD - A Feasibility Study (EmoD-2)

The investigators have developed a new counselling service that focuses on the emotional distress experienced by people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (*COPD*). The new programme is led by an advanced practice nursing (*APN*) team. Other professionals are involved in the programme, such as medical staff and physiotherapists. The new counselling service lasts three months. Patients will receive ten counselling sessions with a specialized nurse. The overall objective of the study is to assess the feasibility of the newly developed emotional-distress-based integrated care programme.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 1-4) and existing lung function in the past 12 months
• Age ≥ 18
• Outpatient treatment on the pneumology clinic of the university hospital Zurich. Last consultation within the past 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant changes in symptoms over the past 3 months that exceeded the everyday fluctuations and required intensification of treatment (moderate, severe exacerbations or pneumonia) and no COPD-related hospitalisation in the past 3 months
• Cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium)
• Unstable psychiatric situation, i.e., current psychiatric treatment due to personality disorder, schizophrenia, drug use, suicidal tendencies. No exclusion for nicotine and alcohol abuse, anxiety, and depression
• Not speaking or reading German
• Intervention via telephone or video call not possible
• Lung transplant (recipient or candidate)