Community health workers serving Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot intervention...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Health Services Research
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impacts morbidity, mortality, and healthcare systems.
• Self-management programs are crucial for reducing COPD symptoms and hospitalizations.
• Community health workers (CHWs) offer a potential avenue for delivering these programs to patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of a CHW-led COPD self-management program for Veterans.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to disease self-management practices.
• To explore the impact of the intervention on participants' COPD health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week intervention involving 9 home, phone, or video visits by CHWs to nine Veteran participants.
• Qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with participants and CHWs.
• Quantitative surveys assessing perceived acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and COPD health outcomes.

Main Results:

• High participant-perceived acceptability (4.2/5), appropriateness (4.3/5), and feasibility (4.2/5).
• Participants valued CHW education on COPD, breathing techniques, and inhaler use, along with social support.
• Exploratory outcomes indicated improvements in health-related aspects, with suggestions for adaptations like caregiver involvement.

Conclusions:

• The pilot CHW-led COPD self-management intervention demonstrates promise for improving patient outcomes.
• The program is perceived as acceptable, feasible, and appropriate for Veterans with COPD.
• Recommended adaptations can inform future randomized controlled trials and program designs.