The PSM-COPD trial is a NIHR funded study that aims to assess the effectiveness of a telephone-based self-management intervention as a treatment for patients with COPD who have mild dyspnoea compared to usual care. Patients will be recruited across four sites (Birmingham, Keele, Manchester, and Oxford). Eligible patients will be randomised to receive the telephone-based self-management care that is delivered by a study research nurse or they will be randomised to usual care. The telephone calls will cover the areas of: smoking cessation advice; encouragement to become physically active; support for medication adherence; and action planning. At present, we are undertaking a feasibility study along with focus groups to assess the acceptability of the intervention. The main trial will begin in January 2014 and we expect patient recruitment to last for eight months.

Therefore, we would like to invite interested GP practices to contact us to take part in our trial. The additional workload, if you decide to take part, is minimal. We will ask you to generate a list of patients who have mild dyspnoea (MRC grades 1 and 2) and mail a study invitation letter. Those patients wishing to take part in our study will be asked to return a reply slip or contact the University of Birmingham research team. Practices will need to provide clinic space so our research nurse can confirm eligibility and take consent from patients. We will pay a set-up fee and reimburse practices for additional activities completed as part of our trial.

 

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If your practice would like to take part or would like more information, please contact: Dr Manbinder Sidhu, Research Fellow, tel: 0121 414 7895 email m.s.sidhu@bham.ac.uk

Principal Investigator: Professor Kate Jolly