OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of a disease-specific expert patient programme (EPP) compared with usual care in patients with bronchiectasis. DESIGN: Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Regional respiratory center. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (n = 64; age > 18 y) with a primary diagnosis of bronchiectasis based on a respiratory physician's assessment including a computed tomographic scan. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention (usual care plus EPP; n = 32) or control group (usual care only; n = 32). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome measure was the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale (CDSS). Other outcome measures included the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), the St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire, and standard EPP questionnaires. Data were collected at baseline, postintervention, and 3 and 6 months postintervention. RESULTS: This disease-specific EPP for patients with bronchiectasis significantly improved self-efficacy in 6 of 10 subscales (CDSS subscales: exercise regularly (p = 0.02); get information about disease (p = 0.03); obtain help from community, family, and friends (p = 0.06); communicate with physician (p = 0.85); manage disease in general (p = 0.05); do chores (p = 0.04); social/recreational activities (p = 0.03); manage symptoms (p < 0.01); manage shortness of breath (p = 0.08); control/manage depression (p = 0.01)) compared with usual care. There was no improvement on IPQ-R score. Patients who received the intervention reported more symptoms and decreased quality of life between 3 and 6 months postintervention and an increase in some components of self reported health care use. Patients receiving the disease-specific EPP indicated they were satisfied with the intervention and learned new self-management techniques. There were no significant differences in lung function over time. CONCLUSIONS: This original study indicates that a disease-specific EPP results in short-term improvements in self-efficacy. Based on these positive preliminary findings, a larger adequately powered study is justified to investigate the efficacy of a disease-specific EPP in patients with bronchiectasis.

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