Table 2.

Living with COPD themes generated from the one-to-one responses with a short description of each theme [numbers of statements contributing to each theme are shown in brackets as (high priority, lower priority) statements]

	What is working well?	What is not working well?	What is important to you for the future?
Living with COPD	Looking after myself and others: Enjoying pastimes, domestic jobs, pushing oneself to do things, planning ahead, giving up smoking (13,0) Keeping independent/busy/well: Working, travelling, shopping, domestic jobs, hobbies, exercising, being able to do what one wants (12,5) Family and friends support: Support for day-to day activities, support for family members (11,6) Communication: Keeping in touch through computer, help with dyslexia (2,0) Transport: Good public transport, scooter for mobility (2,0) Location: Living close to town (1,0) Other: You’ve got to work at this illness, it’s depressing (0,1)	I can’t do what I want to doa: Cannot do hobbies, daily tasks, social activities, difficult to plan, restricted choice (16,10) I live in fear: Fear of breathlessness and the future (6,4) I don’t have enough energy: No energy for daily activities (6,0) I’m anxious and depresseda: Low mood, pain, stress, worry (5,0) I can’t eat wella: Poor appetite, restricted diet (4,0) I feel like I’m begging: Lack of understanding at the Job Centre (3,1) I’ve lost my mojo: Lack of motivation for exercise/stopping smoking (3,1) I don’t have enough money: Cannot heat the house or afford the bus (2,1) I feel like a burden: Have to rely on people, ask for more dressings (2,0) I am lonely: Want to get out more, not natural to live alone (2,0) I keep forgetting things: Forgetting things (1,0) Other: I think it’s the smoking that’s making me worse (0,1)	I want to stay independent for ever: Being able to enjoy hobbies, look after others, do daily tasks, stay out of hospital (10,6) I want to stay in my own home: Manage in one’s own home for as long as possible (9,3) I want to be mobile: Be able to walk, move around the house, travel abroad (7,0) I would like to stay as healthy as possible to achieve my aspirations: Important to keep well, be able to work and see family (6,1) I need help to stay confident: Finding a reason to do things, meeting people (6,0) I value family support: Having family around (3,0) I want to be able to maintain my social network: Staying in touch with friends (2,6) I want to do the things I enjoy: Doing the things I enjoy (0,3) I want my family to be looked after: Security and care for dependents (0,2)

^aThemes voted as highest priority themes in the ‘what’s not working’ category