Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a major clinical and economic burden in Ireland. Ireland reports the highest COPD hospitalisation rate among OECD countries, highlighting ongoing challenges in prevention and long‑term disease management. Smoking prevalence, while declining, remains substantial. COPD disproportionately affects older-adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, contributing to high healthcare utilisation and reduced quality-of-life (QoL).
In response, Ireland has introduced an integrated-care programme and enhanced community‑based respiratory services, aimed at improving diagnosis, care coordination, and disease management. While these initiatives represent important progress, evidence describing how system‑level changes translate into equitable, person‑centred care, remains limited. This study aimed to characterise the COPD patient journey in Ireland from the patient perspective, capturing reported progress, ongoing challenges, and unmet needs across the care pathway.
METHODS: A cross‑sectional, mixed‑methods online patient experience survey was conducted between September-October 2025 among adults living in Ireland with COPD, disseminated through patient networks (n=297). Domains included diagnosis, access to care, treatment and self‑management, service coordination, and QoL. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, with free‑text responses explored thematically.
RESULTS: Findings indicate a substantial ongoing burden of COPD, reflected in hospitalisation risk and variability in care experiences. Patients commonly described delays in diagnosis and fragmented care pathways. While many perceived improvements in COPD care over time, particularly in access to pulmonary rehabilitation and preventive interventions, substantive gaps remained. Limited availability and awareness of personalised care plans, inconsistent coordination across services, and challenges accessing appropriate treatments were recurring themes. Overall, system-level improvements were evident but not consistently experienced across the COPD population.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient‑reported data suggest COPD care in Ireland is evolving, yet significant unmet needs remain. Continued investment in integrated-care delivery, alongside improved access to innovative treatments, is essential to reduce hospitalisation and deliver meaningful patient‑centred outcomes.