This study reports qualitative research carried out with people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at a Physiotherapy Clinic of the Itajaí Valley University (Universidade do Vale do Itajaí), Santa Catarina, Brazil. Its objective is to identify the feelings of these people concerning their health problem. In order to do so, a joint living group with eleven patients' and one parent was carried out. From the data analysis, three different categories emerged: unhappiness and suffering caused by the disease; the limitations and physical incapacity everyday, and the desire for improvement with regard to the clinical status established for the disease. We observed, however, that a joint living group is an important opportunity for people with chronic disease to stimulate behavioral change, new healthful habits of life, also acting as an inspirational spring for these people to express feelings to help get better their quality life.
Physical therapy modalities; Health education; Quality of life