Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2017 Jun;20(2):81-92. 10.14475/kjhpc.2017.20.2.81.

Hospice and Palliative Care in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Shin J
• Park HY
• Lee J

• KMID: 2380009
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14475/kjhpc.2017.20.2.81

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, leading to substantial and increasing economic and social burden. Palliative care for COPD patients aims to reduce symptoms and exacerbations and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. It is difficult to make a prognosis for COPD patients due to the variable illness trajectory and advanced care of patients. However, severity of breathlessness, assessment of lung function impairment, and frequency of exacerbations can help to identify palliative care needs and determine effective methods to mitigate symptoms, which is discussed in this paper. In these patients, it is recommended to provide individualized palliative care along with curative/restorative care at the onset of COPD symptoms. Before launching a palliative care system in Korea, it is necessary to prepare pulmonary rehabilitation resources, patient-centered communication, timely palliative responsiveness, and a program for effective advanced care planning. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration with not only the respiratory and palliative care teams but also primary care offers a new model of care for these patients and should be considered with a priority.

Keyword

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Hospice care; Palliative care; Non-cancer; Dyspnea; Respiratory therapy

MeSH Terms

Cooperative Behavior
Dyspnea
Exercise Tolerance
Hospice Care
Hospices*
Humans
Korea
Lung
Mortality
Palliative Care*
Primary Health Care
Prognosis
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Quality of Life
Rehabilitation
Respiratory Therapy