Effective communication with the patient

The chronic and slowly progressive nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can create difficulties in effective communication between healthcare provider and patient. Such barriers, which include the personal beliefs of both caregiver and patient, need to be understood and addressed if the aims of the consultation are to be met. Patients with COPD may feel guilty, depressed and angry about their condition. Many patients with COPD are elderly and/or from lower socio-economic groups, both of which pose challenges to the caregiver, as does the stigma the disease carries, which stems from its strong link with