“They can’t make me breathe, that’s the only problem I have.” Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ireland – A qualitative study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease with considerable impacts for patients and those care for them. Little work has explored the needs and experiences of individuals with COPD (IwCOPD) in an Irish context. This study focused on IwCOPD and caregiver experiences during and after the pandemic, with an aim of establishing what supports would be most beneficial in their daily lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five IwCOPD and two informal family caregivers between March-October 2023, with findings analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) Limitations and loss, (2) The pandemic as an uncontrollable environmental power, (3) Acceptance of the disease and (4) Challenges of healthcare management. Findings have implications for those supporting IwCOPD, highlighting a clear need for information, especially at the time of diagnosis. The needs of family members and current or future caregivers should also be considered.