Arch Intern Med
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Reduction of hospital utilization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a disease-specific self-management intervention.
Self-management interventions improve various outcomes for many chronic diseases. The definite place of self-management in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been established. We evaluated the effect of a continuum of self-management, specific to COPD, on the use of hospital services and health status among patients with moderate to severe disease. ⋯ A continuum of self-management for COPD patients provided by a trained health professional can significantly reduce the utilization of health care services and improve health status. This approach of care can be implemented within normal practice.