International Journal of COPD has published the review paper “Self-management in patients with COPD”.

As corresponding author, Professor Kaptein says “On the basis of our review, it seems that the following conclusions can be formulated in response to the four topics mentioned in the title of the paper:

1)Theoretical models from the domains  of coping with chronic illness, self-management and illness perceptions seem the best choice in further research about self-management for persons with COPD. 

2) These models inform content of self-management training in COPD. Rather than ‘educating’ patients, patients must be encouraged to take control of their illness and its treatment and consequences.

3) Rather than focussing on biomedical outcomes (e.g., FEV1), outcomes in self-management for people with COPD should be patient-reported, in terms of behavioural outcomes.

4) Pulmonary medicine lags behind other medical specialties in its knowledge and attitude regarding empowering patients. This situation is likely to continue for a considerable time given the almost negligible number of behavioral experts involved in research on persons with respiratory illnesses.”

As Dr Richard Russell, Editor-in-Chief, explains “This is a really interesting piece of work that is relevant to all who work in COPD. The management of this disease as we now know it must change and this paper challenges our preconceptions and thinking.”

International Journal of COPD  is an international, peer-reviewed journal of therapeutics and pharmacology focusing on concise rapid reporting of clinical studies and reviews in COPD. Special focus will be given to the pathophysiological processes underlying the disease, intervention programs, patient focused education, and self-management protocols. This journal is directed at specialists and healthcare professionals.

Dove Medical Press Ltd is a privately held company specializing in the publication of Open Access peer-reviewed journals across the broad spectrum of science, technology and especially medicine.

摘要视频链接：Self-management in COPD