During the self-treatment course, intervention patients
will be taught how to act when symptoms increase using the action plan that is linked to their daily symptom diary. The action plans will consist of colourcoded individualised actions for COPD and each of the relevant comorbid symptoms. Patients
will be taughtwhen to start a course of oral corticosteroids (and antibiotics) for a COPD exacerbation. Actions required for change in comorbid symptoms include e.g. taking additional
diuretic treatment for increased oedema; using specific relaxation strategies for anxiety; checking blood glucose levels when using steroids; or calling an ambulance in case of severe or unresolving chest pain. In some cases the action plan will advise
the patient to contact the pulmonary research office. The nurse will act as a triage nurse when the cause of the change in symptoms is unclear and additional advice is necessary. If other relevant comorbidities are diagnosed during the follow-up period, patients will receive an additional individual training session and an adapted version of the action plan, including
these newly diagnosed comorbidities.