Please select the arm or intervention descriptions that belong to the clinical trial below.
Title: Can Early Introduction of Specialized Palliative Care Limit Intensive Care, Emergency and Hospital Admissions in Patients With Severe and Very Severe COPD? A Randomized Study
Brief Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and, despite existing treatment options, progressive lung disease. Patients with COPD often have only limited access to palliative care. The goal of this research project is to improve the quality of life of patients with COPD.

Background In many cases, the symptoms of advanced COPD (including shortness of breath, pain and depression) are insufficiently alleviated. In addition, often in connection with an infection, patients frequently suffer from respiratory decompensation; this may lead to invasive interventions as well as the admission to the emergency room or an intensive care unit. It may ultimately lead to the death of the patient.

Aim This study aims to show that early palliative care can reduce the number of necessary invasive interventions and improve the quality of life of patients with COPD. For this purpose, a group of patients receiving early, standardized palliative care will be compared to a group of patients receiving customary treatment only, without systematic intervention by palliative care experts.

Significance The results of this study should make it possible to efficiently use the medical resources which are required for the appropriate care of patients with COPD. The goal is the best possible quality of life and better coordination of the measures taken, especially with regard to the area of acute care and the wishes of the patient.


Options:
A: Arm Label: Phase 1 Usual care; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Other: medical chart review, Other: questionnaire administration, Procedure: end-of-life treatment/management, Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care, Procedure: quality-of-life assessment | Arm Label: Phase 2 Intervention; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Other: educational intervention, Other: medical chart review, Other: questionnaire administration, Procedure: end-of-life treatment/management, Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care, Procedure: quality-of-life assessment | Intervention Type: OTHER; Name: educational intervention; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 2 Intervention | Intervention Type: OTHER; Name: medical chart review; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 1 Usual care, Phase 2 Intervention | Intervention Type: OTHER; Name: questionnaire administration; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 1 Usual care, Phase 2 Intervention | Intervention Type: PROCEDURE; Name: end-of-life treatment/management; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 1 Usual care, Phase 2 Intervention | Intervention Type: PROCEDURE; Name: psychosocial assessment and care; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 1 Usual care, Phase 2 Intervention | Intervention Type: PROCEDURE; Name: quality-of-life assessment; Assigned to Arm(s): Phase 1 Usual care, Phase 2 Intervention
B: Arm Label: control; Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Other: early palliative care | Arm Label: early palliative care; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Other: early palliative care | Intervention Type: OTHER; Name: early palliative care; Assigned to Arm(s): control, early palliative care
C: Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL; Name: Multidisciplinary palliative care team met with patient; Assigned to Arm(s): N/A
D: Arm Label: early palliative care; Type: EXPERIMENTAL; Interventions: Behavioral: Interventional palliative care | Arm Label: Standard care; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Behavioral: Standard oncologic care | Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL; Name: Interventional palliative care; Assigned to Arm(s): early palliative care | Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL; Name: Standard oncologic care; Assigned to Arm(s): Standard care

Answer: B