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COPD Support Ireland Patient Survey 2025

We want to hear your voice.

This short survey, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete, is open to anyone living with COPD in Ireland.

Your responses will help us better understand the care and support people with COPD are experiencing, and identify ways to enhance services and supports. By sharing your experience, you’re helping COPD Support Ireland build a clearer picture of what matters most to patients.

This information will be used to raise awareness, advocate for patient-centred improvements, and shape future supports across the country.

Your voice is powerful, and your participation is incredibly valuable.
Every response helps highlight the lived experience of people with COPD and ensures that those shaping services hear directly from the community.

All answers are confidential. Thank you for taking the time to support this important work.
Section 1: Background
1.What year were you formally diagnosed with COPD?
(if you are unsure, give your best guess of the year you were diagnosed)
2.How were you first diagnosed with COPD?
3.Please indicate your current age in the following age bands
4.What symptoms led you to seek medical advice?
Please pick all that apply
5.Approximately how long was it between first noticing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis?
6.Do you feel satisfied with your care during the diagnosis process?
7.Can you please explain your answer?
Add in detail you may feel relevant to the answer? (This could include what worked well for you, or what could have made the experience better.)
Section 2: Understanding Your Experience of Routine COPD Care

Why are we asking these questions?

COPD care in Ireland is delivered through a range of services, including general practice, specialist teams, and integrated care teams. These questions help us learn where people are currently receiving care and how people are supported in managing their COPD day-to-day. We want to understand how often people are seen, where they go for care, and who provides it. This helps us identify what services are being used and how well they meet people’s needs. Your insights will help highlight the aspects of care that are most valuable to people living with COPD and where support feels most effective.
8.How often are you routinely seen by a healthcare professional (GP practice) for COPD management?
(This could include scheduled reviews, check-ups, or monitoring visits. This does not include urgent visits related to flare-ups of your COPD)
9.Is there anything that makes it difficult for you to attend routine check-ups or rehabilitation appointments?
The next question asks you about COPD Care programmes here are some descriptions to help you Identify your care

Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme
This is a structured care programme delivered by your GP or practice nurse. It includes regular reviews (usually twice a year), a personalised care plan, and support for managing COPD and other chronic conditions.

Integrated Respiratory Care
Delivered by specialist teams in community-based hubs and hospitals. It includes consultant-led clinics, nurse-led reviews, physiotherapy, and coordinated care planning. These services aim to reduce hospital visits and provide care closer to home.

COPD Outreach Teams
These teams support people during flare-ups or after hospital stays. They may visit you at home or provide telephone support to help you recover safely and avoid readmission.

Virtual Ward Care
Some areas offer remote monitoring using apps and devices like pulse oximeters. You can report symptoms daily and receive support from a clinical team without needing to attend in person.
10.Which of the following COPD care programmes or services have you used?
(Please tick all that apply)
11.Where do you currently receive most of your COPD care?
(Tick only one)
12.Do you have a personalised care plan for your COPD?
(For example, a written, verbal or digital plan agreed with your GP or care team)
13.Do you feel your COPD care is coordinated across different services?
(Do your GP, Hub, and Hospital services work well together? Example, Each person I speak to knows my current condition, changes that have happened, when I have changed medication etc)
14.Thinking about your current COPD care, what aspects do you find most helpful or valuable?
15.What specific place or service are you most confident turning to when your COPD symptoms change or you need help or advice?
16.What makes this person, place or service feel reliable or most helpful to you? Think about specifics? Is it access to knowledge? or Health Care Professionals? Is it that it is timely, etc?
17.Do you feel that your COPD care fits well with your lifestyle and personal goals?
(For example, does it support your independence, mobility, or ability to stay active)
18.Is your overall care for COPD better now compared to 5+ years ago (i.e. pre-COVID-19 global pandemic)?
19.Can you share an example of a time when you felt particularly well-supported in managing your COPD? What made that experience stand out?
20.If you could improve one aspect of your COPD care or support, what would it be, and why?
Section 3: Managing Your COPD and Learning About Your Condition

Why are we asking these questions?

We want to understand how confident people feel in managing their COPD and what kind of support or education they’ve received. This includes tools like rescue packs, breathing exercises, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Your answers help us learn what’s working well, whether any extra support might be helpful, or if the current care already meets your needs.
21.How confident do you feel managing your COPD day-to-day?
(Please tick one)
22.How confident do you feel managing a COPD flare-up?
(A flare-up may include increased breathlessness, coughing, or changes in sputum. Managing it may involve using medication, adjusting activity, or seeking medical advice.)
(Please tick one)
23.What strategies do you usually use during a flare-up?
(Please tick all that apply)
24.Are you currently, or have you ever, smoked cigarettes or used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes.)?
(Please tick one answer)
25.If you answered Yes to question 24, can you tell us more about any supports you have been offered:

Have you ever been offered or received support to help you stop smoking?
(This could include counselling, nicotine replacement therapy, medications, or referral to a smoking cessation service.)
26.If you did not use smoking cessation support, what were the main reasons?
(Please tick all that apply)
27.Have you ever taken part in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme?

(This is a 6 – 12 week structured programme usually run by healthcare professionals—such as physiotherapists in a hospital or community setting. It includes supervised exercise, education about COPD, breathing techniques, and advice on managing symptoms. It’s different from peer-led support & exercise groups, like those offered by COPD Support Ireland.)
28.If you answered “Yes” to Question 27 and have taken part in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme,
Please tell us what aspects of the programme you found most helpful or valuable. For example, you might share: What you learned or gained from the sessions; How it affected your ability to manage your COPD; Any challenges you faced during the programme?
29.When did you last take part in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme?
30.How beneficial was the programme in helping you manage your COPD?
(Please select below)
31.If you answered “No” to Question 27, what were the main reasons you did not take part in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme?
(Please tick all that apply)
32.Do you undertake any physical activity either formally in programmes such as COPD Support Ireland Support & Exercise groups, Exwell, other etc) or informally such as home exercise programme, walking etc?
33.If you answered no, I do not take part in physical activity, what stops you?
(Select all that apply)
34.Have you been offered any vaccinations specifically due to your COPD diagnosis?
35.If yes, which of the following vaccinations have you been offered?
(Select all that apply)
36.Have you taken up the vaccinations offered to you?
37.If you did not take up one or more of the vaccinations, please indicate your reasons:
(Select all that apply)
Section 4: Accessing Care When You’re Unwell

Why are we asking these questions?
These questions are about your experience getting help when your COPD symptoms get worse. We want to understand where people go for care, how quickly they can get seen, and what kind of care they receive.

We want to understand how easy it is for people to get the care they need when their COPD symptoms get worse. Your answers help us learn what’s working well, what services are accessible, and where people might need more support—especially during flare-ups or urgent situations.
38.When you need an urgent appointment for your COPD, how long does it usually take to be seen?
39.Where do you initially go when you need care for your COPD flare up?
(Please pick only one, the first place you turn to)
40.Do you have a rescue pack? – ( this is a prescription for steroids and / or antibiotics provided by your healthcare professional to be started as soon as symptoms of a flare up begin until you can attend an urgent review by your healthcare professional)
41.In the past year, how many times have you stayed overnight in hospital because of your COPD? These are times when you attended Hospital and you were admitted for care spending the night.
Section 5: Living with COPD

Why are we asking these questions?
We want to understand how COPD affects your daily life—what you’re able to do, what support you might need, and how confident you feel going out and staying active. This helps us learn what matters most to people living with COPD and how services can better support independence and wellbeing
42.Do you feel confident going out of your home?
(For example, to the shops, to appointments, or to see friends)
43.If you answered “Sometimes,” “Rarely,” or “No, never” to Question 38, what are the main reasons you don’t feel confident going out?
(Please tick all that apply)
44.Are you able to do the things you enjoy?
(For example, walking, gardening, meeting friends, hobbies)
Please rate your answer:
45.If you answered “Sometimes,” “Rarely,” or “No, never” to Question 44, what are the main reasons you don’t feel able to do the things you enjoy?
(Please tick all that apply)
46.Do you need help with everyday tasks?
(For example, cooking, cleaning, shopping, or getting dressed)
47.If you need help with everyday tasks, who usually helps you?
(Please tick all that apply)
48.How, if at all, has the rising cost of living in Ireland affected your ability to manage your COPD?
(For example, has it made it harder to afford medications, attend appointments, heat your home, eat well, or access support services, prioritising other expenses over medication?)
49.Overall, how would you rate the quality of COPD care you receive in Ireland today?
(Please select the option that best reflects your experience)
Thank You for Your Input

Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey on the COPD patient experience in Ireland. Your insights are incredibly valuable and will help shape future improvements in care, support, and resources for those living with COPD.

We deeply appreciate your contribution.
Current Progress,
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