Qualitative studies among patients with chronic conditions
reveal that they experience a number of problems
with healthcare services across sectors. These problems
relate to access to appropriate and timely care, communication
and coordination between settings, relational
continuity and patient information, among other issues
[15-18]. Patients encountering these problems experience
delayed care pathways and delayed adjustment to
life with a chronic disease [17]. Furthermore, research
suggests that disease severity and/or care structure
affect how different groups of patients experience problems
related to transitions between care settings, and
that these factors should be further explored [16,19].
Only one study has specifically focused on patients with
COPD [18]. Thus, more research is needed to explore
the challenges in the healthcare system faced by patients
with COPD .