Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world.
In 2001, COPD was the fifth leading cause of death in high income countries, and was estimated to be a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years.
SINTEF Technology and Society, Department of Health Research, Norway, is currently heading two large projects financed by the Norwegian Research Council, aiming at providing better healthcare and life quality for persons suffering from COPD. COPD usually strikes during working age and causes great suffering for those affected by it, as well as large costs to society.
Due to this patient group's extensive consumption of health services, it is important to provide care and treatment that are as adapted to patients' needs as possible.
Yet, in times of tight healthcare budgets and a general increasing demand for health services, it is becoming a challenge to provide services that are sufficient enough for these patients. For this patient group, it is important to combine research on patient administrative data and innovation, which we do in two projects.
In 2001, COPD was the fifth leading cause of death in high income countries, and was estimated to be a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years.
SINTEF Technology and Society, Department of Health Research, Norway, is currently heading two large projects financed by the Norwegian Research Council, aiming at providing better healthcare and life quality for persons suffering from COPD. COPD usually strikes during working age and causes great suffering for those affected by it, as well as large costs to society.
Due to this patient group's extensive consumption of health services, it is important to provide care and treatment that are as adapted to patients' needs as possible.
Yet, in times of tight healthcare budgets and a general increasing demand for health services, it is becoming a challenge to provide services that are sufficient enough for these patients. For this patient group, it is important to combine research on patient administrative data and innovation, which we do in two projects.