Nationwide implementation of the self-management program "Living well with COPD": Process and effectiveness evaluation using a mixed-methods approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nationwide implementation of the "Living well with COPD" program by the Swiss Lung Association in various cantons in Switzerland. METHODS: For the process evaluation, we used qualitative (interview, focus group) and quantitative (questionnaires, documentation analysis) methods to assess the implementation outcomes reach, dose, fidelity and acceptability. For the effectiveness, we performed a pre-post analysis of patient data collected at baseline and program end (after 14 months). RESULTS: Seven Cantonal Lung Associations implemented the program into their services according to plan, conducted it 13 times and included 122 COPD patients. Patients' attendance rate was 81% and coaches' fidelity to protocol 94%. Acceptance and satisfaction of all involved persons was high. Integration of the coaches' additional workload, uncertainties regarding roles and responsibilities and sustainable reimbursement were major challenges. Patients significantly improved in COPD specific quality of life and increased exercise capacity with on average 3.2 more repetitions in the 1-minute sit-to-stand test. CONCLUSION: The program was successfully implemented throughout Switzerland with high acceptability and positive association with patients' quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our findings support the broader multiplication throughout Switzerland and serves the international community since it is one of the first nationwide implementations beyond study settings.

The improving care in chronic obstructive lung disease study: CAROL improving processes of care and quality of life of COPD patients in primary care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The Swiss health ministry launched a national quality program 'QualiCCare' in 2011 to improve health care for patients with COPD.The aim of this study is to determine whether participation in the COPD quality initiative ('QualiCCare') improves adherence to recommended clinical processes and shows impact on patients' COPD care and on the impact of COPD on a person's life. METHODS: CAROL is a cluster-randomized controlled trial with randomization on the general practioner (GP) level. Thirty GPs will be randomly assigned to equally sized intervention group or control group.Each GP will approach consecutively and regardless of the reason for the current consultation, patients aged 45 years or older, with a smoking history of ≥ ten pack-years (PY). Patients with confirmed (by spirometric evaluation) COPD will be included in the study. GPs in the intervention group will receive 'QualiCCare' education, which addresses knowledge, decision-making and behavioural aspects as well as delivery of care according to COPD quality indicators and evidence-based key elements. In the control group, no educational intervention will be applied and COPD patients will be treated as usual. The study period is one year.The primary outcome measure is an aggregated score of relevant clinical processes defining elements in the care of patients with COPD: smoking cessation counseling, influenza vaccination, motivation for physical activity, appropriate pharmacotherapy, patient education and collaborative care. Given a power of 90% and a significance level alpha of 5%, 15 GPs recruiting eight patients each will be necessary in both study arms. With an assumed dropout rate of 20%, 288 patients will need to be included. DISCUSSION: It is important to develop and implement interventions that add value to COPD care considering quality and efficiency. Care pathways modifying the knowledge and behavior of physicians have the potential for improving care by transferring knowledge to clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01921556.

Population-based reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand test.

OBJECTIVES: To determine reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in an adult population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study nested within a nationwide health promotion campaign in Switzerland. Adults performed the STS test and completed questions on demographics and health behavior. RESULTS: 6,926 out of 7,753 (89.3 %) adults were able to complete the STS test. The median number of repetitions ranged from 50/min (25-75th percentile 41-57/min) in young men and 47/min (39-55/min) in young women aged 20-24 years to 30/min (25-37/min) in older men and 27/min (22-30/min) in older women aged 75-79 years. CONCLUSIONS: The reference values support the interpretation of 1-min STS test performance and identification of subjects with decreased lower body muscular strength and endurance.