Self‐management intervention for patients following hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD): A pilot randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the handoff guidance (HG) self‐management intervention for multimorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients following hospitalization for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) using HG self‐management intervention compared to a control group on COPD self‐management outcomes (self‐care, self‐efficacy, health engagement) and assess feasibility, acceptability, and healthcare utilization. A randomized pilot study used a 2‐group with repeated measures design. Adults with COPD who had been hospitalized for AECOPD were recruited. After discharge, the HG self‐management intervention employed health coaching delivered at: 1–3, 10–12, and 20–22 days after hospital discharge. Follow‐up data collected was collected at 1–3, 10–12, 20–22, 30, 60, and 90 days after hospital discharge. A total of 29 subjects participated, with a mean age of 66 (+8.7) years old, the majority were females (n = 18). Intervention participants reported the acceptability of the HG self‐management intervention. Participants in both groups continued to report COPD symptoms after discharge, which decreased over time, although not significantly different by group. The use of COPD maintenance, monitoring, and management behaviors was higher in the treatment group, although not significantly different.