title: The Lived Experiences of People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Phenomenological Study.
abstract: This study explored the lived experiences of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following hospitalization for acute exacerbation or pneumonia.
  
  
  
  A phenomenological approach was adopted to collect data through semistructured interviews. Fourteen participants were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan. Data were collected from January 2013 to January 2014. Giorgi's phenomenological methodology was adopted to analyze the interview content.
  
  
  
  Three phenomenological themes emerged: trapped in an invisible cage, torments in the winter, and striving for wellness.
  
  
  
  This study sought to elucidate the lived experiences of people with COPD, who perceived themselves as feeling an overwhelming sense of confinement. The interviewees displayed positive attitudes, indicating that people with COPD are willing to cope with their disease. Health practitioners should focus on educating people with COPD about their needs, encouraging them to be more positive, and assisting them in engaging in self-management.
  
  
  
  People with COPD can cope with the disease and seek alternative methods to improve their health. These positive attitudes could be used to encourage self-management in the future.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. yychang@mail.cgust.edu.tw.|Doctoral Candidate, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan. yychang@mail.cgust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yi-Ya
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Tzu
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.|Doctoral Candidate, School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Nai-Hui
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.affiliation: Registered Nurse, Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.|Doctoral Candidate, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Ya
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000628:therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: Chronic disease; long-term care; phenomenology; qualitative research; respiratory