Background
dyspnea, chronically ill, emphysema, COPD, cough, COPD-induced dyspnea
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, CHRONICALLY ILL, CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, CHRONIC DISEASES, EMPHYSEMA, COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases throughout the world. It causes almost irreversible airflow restriction in the airways; is associated with dyspnea, cough, and increased sputum production; and consists of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The most important underlying causes of COPD are tobacco smoking and air pollution [COPD has significant effects on respiration and functional status. COPD-induced dyspnea varies in severity from dyspnea at activity without any significant effect on activity level to complete inability to perform activities due to dyspnea [COPD chronicity, continuous reduction of functionality, and long-term courses of COPD management require the active involvement of family members in the process of COPD management [Providing education about pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to the FCs of patients with COPD is a strategy with potential positive effects on their QOL. PR is a multidisciplinary approach to improve functional status and independence at activities and is the main component of COPD management. It has significant positive effects on COPD symptoms and quality of life (QOL) [There are different methods to provide PR education to the FCs of patients with COPD, including face-to-face (FTF) education, web-based education, and smartphone-based education [One of the modern methods for PR is smartphone applications [Despite the known positive effects of education on caregiving knowledge among FCs of chronically ill patients, some studies reported that the FCs of patients with COPD did not have adequate PR knowledge and needed further information for quality caregiving to their patients [