Lay summary
This research aims to improve the healthcare of people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) across the Southern DHB region. COPD is a disease of national importance, particularly for Maori. The research has three components. Firstly, it will determine healthcare usage by people with severe COPD admitted to southern hospitals through case notes review. Secondly, the healthcare needs of people with severe COPD will be determined through interviewing a wide range of patients after admission and six months later. Thirdly, we will interview health professionals, patient groups and stakeholders to identify the barriers and enablers to the provision of high quality, person-centred and integrated care for COPD. These results will inform an expert review group of clinicians, health service managers and patients which will make specific implementable recommendations to Alliance South (Southern DHB/PHO) on how care for people with COPD should be organised across community, primary and secondary care.