The development of a helpline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
BACKGROUND
The goal of the helpline is to assist individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) better manage their disease through improved understanding of COPD, its symptoms and treatment.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this project was to develop and validate a protocol for a COPD helpline.


METHODS
Ten key informants with expertise in helpline development or COPD were interviewed. Fifty individuals with COPD participated in content validation of the protocol.


RESULTS
An initial protocol for the helpline aimed to provide: (1) information and education regarding COPD and its management via the telephone and with written materials; (2) guidance regarding course of management; (3) resource links to other support services and programs locally, provincially, and/or nationally; and (4) caring support and reassurance to those with COPD and their families. The majority of the calls from individuals with COPD sought medical information (74%) and required 36.6 +/- 14.5 min (range: 15-85) to complete. Many different topics were discussed, with medication and exercise being the most common. The availability of the call center was identified as one means of replacing information sought from other health care providers, mainly physicians and pulmonary rehabilitation staff.


CONCLUSIONS
A protocol of a helpline for COPD has been developed based on the literature, theoretical knowledge, and input from key informants and individuals with COPD.
Brooks
Dina
D
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Room 848, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G 1V7. dina.brooks@utoronto.ca
Fancott
Carol A
CA
Falter
Laura-Beth
LB
McFarlane
Alan
A
Nonoyama
Mika L
ML
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D011582:Psychological Theory; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012944:Social Support