Examining the adaptation level of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease applying to district state hospital

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive, preventable, and treatable disease with high prevalence, mortality, and morbidity worldwide. Despite research into COPD, its prevalence remains high. COPD is not only an individual problem, but also a problem that affects all of humanity on a societal level. This study was conducted to examine the level of adaptation to the disease among COPD patients living in the district and visiting the emergency department. The data were obtained from 44 individuals with COPD who met the study criteria and visited the emergency department of a district state hospital located in a district of a province in the Central Anatolia Region between March and July 2024. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Chronic Disease Compliance Assessment Scale after obtaining the individuals' consent through face-to-face interviews. Important factors affecting the outcome of the study were the capacity of the district state hospital emergency department and the lack of an inpatient ward.For descriptive findings, the number, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation values were determined. A significance level of p <0,05 was accepted for the findings. The average total score obtained by participants on the scale was 59,90±3,85. The mean scores obtained from the social subscale of the Chronic Disease Coping Scale by individuals with primary education and above are significantly higher than those with lower levels of education (p=0.04). The average spiritual subscale scores of individuals with respiratory tract infections other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are significantly higher (p=0.03). As a result, the level of adaptation to the disease among individuals with COPD was moderate, and factors such as education, age, and psychosocial support affected this adaptation. Factors affecting disease adaptation should be integrated into the nursing care plan. Providing education to individuals with COPD that will increase their level of disease adaptation can positively affect the course of the disease. The development of new treatment methods for COPD in the future may increase individuals' adaptation to the disease.