Page 133 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2021. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 133
ognizing the importance of nutrition counseling for the elderly psihologija / sociala in zdravje starejših odraslih | psychology / social and health of the elderly
with COPD in primary care
Mateja Šimec
University of Novo mesto, Faculty of Health Sciences, Novo mesto, Slovenia
Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alters a person’s
metabolic processes and increases the need for energy and protein intake,
while metabolism and muscle wasting are also affected by the aging process.
A patient with COPD is at risk of malnutrition, therefore the medical staff in
the family practice also plays an important role in the orderly and well-man-
aged disease.
Methods. The study was based on a qualitative approach, the method of de-
scription. A semistructured interview template was used as a measurement
tool to collect data for the empirical part of the study. The study was conduct-
ed among nurses and paramedics in a health center. There were 7 participants
in the study who are involved in the treatment of COPD patients.
Results. The study revealed that the respondents’ perception of the impor-
tance of nutritional counseling for older adults with COPD was low, which
was reflected in the inadequate information provided to COPD patients on
appropriate nutrition for their disease. The findings of the study also revealed
that the respondents were aware of their role as health educators in the man-
agement of COPD patients, but self-assessed to have inadequate knowledge
about proper nutrition in COPD, citing lack of opportunities to attend train-
ing on the subject.
Discussion and Conclusion. Weight loss in a COPD patient is associated with an
increased risk of complications and mortality. Therefore, it is critical to identi-
fy older adult COPD patients because of the dangers associated with malnutri-
tion and to recognize those with a pre-existing condition. Nutritional support
(alongside appropriate physical activity) is the foundation for quality rehabil-
itation of patients with COPD, with a key role played by competent health-
care professionals involved in the comprehensive management of patients with
COPD.
Keywords: COPD, nutrition, health education, patient
131
with COPD in primary care
Mateja Šimec
University of Novo mesto, Faculty of Health Sciences, Novo mesto, Slovenia
Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alters a person’s
metabolic processes and increases the need for energy and protein intake,
while metabolism and muscle wasting are also affected by the aging process.
A patient with COPD is at risk of malnutrition, therefore the medical staff in
the family practice also plays an important role in the orderly and well-man-
aged disease.
Methods. The study was based on a qualitative approach, the method of de-
scription. A semistructured interview template was used as a measurement
tool to collect data for the empirical part of the study. The study was conduct-
ed among nurses and paramedics in a health center. There were 7 participants
in the study who are involved in the treatment of COPD patients.
Results. The study revealed that the respondents’ perception of the impor-
tance of nutritional counseling for older adults with COPD was low, which
was reflected in the inadequate information provided to COPD patients on
appropriate nutrition for their disease. The findings of the study also revealed
that the respondents were aware of their role as health educators in the man-
agement of COPD patients, but self-assessed to have inadequate knowledge
about proper nutrition in COPD, citing lack of opportunities to attend train-
ing on the subject.
Discussion and Conclusion. Weight loss in a COPD patient is associated with an
increased risk of complications and mortality. Therefore, it is critical to identi-
fy older adult COPD patients because of the dangers associated with malnutri-
tion and to recognize those with a pre-existing condition. Nutritional support
(alongside appropriate physical activity) is the foundation for quality rehabil-
itation of patients with COPD, with a key role played by competent health-
care professionals involved in the comprehensive management of patients with
COPD.
Keywords: COPD, nutrition, health education, patient
131
