Patients’ acceptance of outcome and experience measurements during hospitalisation for COPD exacerbations: a cicero CRC - ELF online patient survey

BackgroundThe lack of standardized outcome assessments during hospitalisation and follow-up for acute COPD exacerbations has hampered scientific progress and clinical proficiency.ObjectivesTo evaluate patients’ acceptance of selected outcome and experience measurements during hospitalisations for COPD exacerbations and follow-up.MethodsAn online survey was held amongst COPD patients in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The ELF COPD Patient Advisory Group was involved in the conceptualisation, development and dissemination of the survey. The survey was complementary to a previously obtained expert consensus. We assessed patients’ views and acceptance of selected patient reported outcomes or experiences and corresponding measurement instruments (for dyspnoea, frequent productive cough, health status and hospitalisation experience), and of selected clinical investigations (blood-draw, pulmonary function test, six-minute walk test, chest computed tomography, echocardiography).FIndings200 patients completed the survey. All selected outcomes and experiences were deemed important, and acceptance of their methods of assessment was high. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale and a numerical rating scale (NRS) to address dyspnoea, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) for quality of life and frequent productive cough and the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) for hospital experiences were the instruments preferred by patients. Consensus on importance of blood draw and spirometry was higher compared with the other investigations.InterpretationThe survey results endorse the use of the selected outcome and experience measurements during hospitalisations for COPD exacerbations. They can be used to optimise standardized and patient-centred care and facilitate multicentric data collection.