A project nurse screened health records of possible
participants attending the outpatient clinic. If they met
the inclusion criteria, they were contacted by telephone
or in person in the outpatient clinic and informed
about the study. To recruit relatives, we contacted patients
with severe or very severe COPD and asked if
they would allow us to contact a relative. Relatives were
then contacted in the same manner as patients. Patients
and relatives who agreed to participate were mailed a
written invitation and information sheet. In preparation
for the study, a pilot focus group interview was conducted
with patients who met the inclusion criteria.
Pilot participants were randomly selected at the outpatient
clinic.