Table 1.

The size of sample

Category	Healthcare professionals (HCPs)	Patients with COPD	Total
Mapping pathway: semistructured interview	6 HCPs (including GPs, practice nurses or physiotherapists) and 1–2 service managers and 1–2 commissioners (face-to-face or by telephone)	11–17 patients with COPD including those accepted an PR offer, declined an PR offer and never referred (face-to-face or by telephone)	18–25
Validation: interviews	2–4 HCPs (face-to-face interview) and 5–10 HCPs (email to seek comments)	Not applicable	2–4 (interviews) 5–10 (emails)
Validation: focus groups	1 physiotherapist×2 groups who attend the Breathe Easy Support group	8–10 patients×2 groups who attend the Breathe Easy Support group	10–24 (focus groups)

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PR, pulmonary rehabilitation.