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Feasibility-testing a co-designed breathlessness episode recovery plan for people with COPD and their support persons
Dyspnea Society's 8th Conference (Lund, Swedan, 10/06/2026–12/06/2026)
Dyspnea 2026, 8th (Lund, Swedan, 10/06/2026–12/06/2026)
12/06/2026
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to feasibility-test a non-pharmacological breathlessness episode recovery plan and implementation resources that was co-designed with people with COPD and their support persons in partnership with the Lung Foundation Australia. The plan is based around a mnemonic of ‘do your 5’: stop, think, position, breathe out slowly, and airflow/cool.
Materials and methods: We report the first cycle of feasibility-testing and refinement in Respiratory Care. Clinicians were provided with paper-based versions of the plan and user guide, and clinician training videos. Audio-recordings were taken of clinician-led plan-related education sessions. Telephone interviews with patients were completed 1 and 4 weeks post-education. Focus groups canvassed clinician perspectives. Transcripts were subjected to qualitative analysis, coding against Sekhon et al’s (2017) framework for acceptability.
Results: Most patients (n=14) had previous experience of stop, position and breathe out slowly, but used these in varying order. Common patient learnings were that breathlessness is neither harmful nor necessarily due to low oxygen levels. Patients struggled to recall all key messages, and many had mislaid the plan 1 week later. None had bought a hand-held fan despite encouragement to do so. Clinicians (n=2) confirmed that many patients have mild cognitive impairment. The plan was revised to include a simplified option comprising the outline of a ‘do your 5’ hand, allowing each strategy to be written onto a finger in the order preferred by each patient (Figure 1). A new clinician training video was added, emphasising the need to individualise the plan to each patient’s current self-management and cognition. Hand-held fans will be provided alongside the plan, with a QR sticker to an online version of the plan and a patient video reinforcing key messages.
Conclusion: Further testing will include community Palliative Care and an Emergency Department, to be completed by mid-2026.
Details
- Title
- Feasibility-testing a co-designed breathlessness episode recovery plan for people with COPD and their support persons
- Creators
- Tim Luckett - University of Technology SydneyMary Roberts - Westmead HospitalMuneeba Chaudhry - University of Technology SydneyJohn M HancockLennette RuttleMarina SiemionowKate Smith - Lung Foundation AustraliaJo River - University of Technology SydneyMarie Williams - University of South AustraliaKylie Johnston - University of South AustraliaGerben Keijzers - Griffith UniversityHancy Issac - Gold Coast University HospitalMiriam Johnson - University of HullAnn Hutchinson - University of HullFlavia Swan - University of HullMark Pearson - University of HullMichael Crooks - University of HullAnna Keedwell - Cabrini Health (Australia)Slavica Kochovska - Flinders UniversityJoel Rhee - University of New South Wales (Australia, Sydney)Eila Erfani - Australian Catholic UniversityEster Klimkeit - Westmead HospitalDavid Currow - Flinders UniversityMeera Agar - University of Technology SydneyTracy Smith - Westmead Hospital
- Conference
- Dyspnea 2026, 8th (Lund, Swedan, 10/06/2026–12/06/2026)
- Event
- Dyspnea Society's 8th Conference (Lund, Swedan, 10/06/2026–12/06/2026)
- Identifiers
- 991013339490502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Poster