P-22 COPD patients’ and carers’ perspectives of the acceptibility of a breathlessness action plan

<h3>Background</h3> Many people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) experience acute episodes of breathlessness that are highly distressing and are often overlooked and undermanaged. Episodic breathlessness pervades into multiple domains of patients and carers lives, resulting in emotional distress, social isolation, and ultimately, disability. As the breathing-thinking-functioning cycle of breathlessness is highly interdependent, managing breathlessness requires shifting an individual’s construct around, and response to, the sensation. A written Breathlessness Action Plan (BAP) consists of a list of simple and sequential steps for relieving the intensity of episodes of breathlessness. BAPs have been widely created in response to perceived needs by independent organisations and contain similar content on non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies. Despite their use the evidence for the uptake and efficacy of a written plan is unknown in the literature. <h3>Objectives</h3> The rationale for this study is to bridge the existing knowledge gap of COPD patients’ and carers’ perspectives of the acceptability of a written BAP for managing acute episodes of breathlessness, and to challenge and transform current self-management strategies. <h3>Methods</h3> This feasibility study with mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted over four weeks for each patient, whilst they remained at home. Patients with a COPD diagnosis who were experiencing episodic breathlessness and were not currently using a BAP were included, along with their carers. Participants received an individualised BAP, face-to-face breathlessness education, and a hand-held fan. COPD Assessment Tool (CAT) scores were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. The intervention group received weekly check-in calls. Perceptions of BAP acceptability was reported using a 7-question Likert at the exit interview at 4 weeks. Ethics approval for this study was granted by the AWH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (review reference HREC/103469/AWHEC-2023–402985). <h3>Summary of Results</h3> Not currently available. Reponses to structured questionnaires will be quantitatively summarised as number and percentage. From the open-ended responses, themes will be derived and qualitatively presented. CAT scores will be compared at baseline and at 4 weeks. The primary research question seeks to evaluate COPD patients’ and carers’ perspectives of the acceptability of a written BAP for managing acute episodes of breathlessness, whilst the secondary research question seeks to determine if written BAPs are useful on their own or require further support with weekly telephone calls. <h3>Implications of Research</h3> Written BAPs are a simple self-management tool that could be widely and easily used; however, the evidence base is sparse with only one published feasibility study suggesting efficacy. This study attempts to contribute to the evidence base by assessing whether COPD patients and carers find BAPs to be an acceptable intervention for managing acute and distressing episodes of breathlessness. Further research may prompt the creation of standardised, evidence-based guidelines to which all written BAPs should adhere.