Using the Roper, Logan and Tierney model in care of people with COPD.

AIM: To determine whether the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model of nursing care affects the outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading chronic health problem throughout the world. Although there are numerous studies on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, no studies have been found regarding patient care with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease investigated from the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model perspective.

METHODS: The study design was an experimental style. The sample consisted of 60 subjects with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized in a university hospital in Erzurum, Turkey, in 2001 and randomly selected into control and experimental groups. On admission, the researcher completed a nursing diagnosis form for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for each patient, consisting of demographic characteristics and an assessment nursing diagnosis for each of the patients. Control group patients were treated by routine nursing care while the experimental group patients were treated by nursing care according to the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model. Upon discharge, nursing diagnoses were assessed again in both control and experimental groups. Results. Although there was no statistically significant decrease in most nursing diagnoses in the control group, there was a statistically significant decrease in nursing diagnoses in favour of the experimental group.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that there were improvements in patient's outcomes in the concept of holistic and individualized nursing care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to the Roper, Logan and Tierney model.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings of this study have practical importance for nursing practise. Using the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model in care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may serve as a guide for nurses working with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to participate patient and her/his family to patient care and to facilitate the effectiveness of patient care.