2.2. Recruitment
asthma, COPD
COPD, RECRUITMENT, ASTHMA
Preliminary discussions were held with patient representative groups in Ireland and, following these discussions, it was decided that recruitment through contact with established chest clinics would be more appropriate than a direct approach to patients for safety, ethical and consent considerations.The study was discussed in each of the three countries, Czechia, Spain and Ireland, with hospital staff, and copies of the full protocol were made available, as well as patient information leaflets and copies of the consent forms.Consent: informed written consent was obtained from each subject during an interview at a specially arranged visit to the centre, where the study was explained and each patient given written information. The voluntary nature of their consent was stressed and their right to withdraw at any stage was explained.Criteria for eligibility: fully ambulant; minimum age 18 years; sex, all; doctor-diagnosed COPD patients who were current or ex-smokers, or doctor-diagnosed asthma patients, irrespective of smoking history; and established (at the interview) that it was usual practice for each participating patient to visit outside smoking areas of pubs and bars in their usual social life.Exclusion criteria: under 18 years of age, on oxygen therapy, pregnant, and currently undergoing treatment for an acute exacerbation of their primary condition.