This study aims to: i) develop an instrument that assesses the needs of informal carers of people with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), along diseases' trajectory, and evaluate its measurement properties; ii) identify existing instruments that assess the needs of informal/family carers and their measurement properties, iii) characterize the needs of informal carers of people with CRD and iv) characterize the health literacy of informal carers of people with CRD. The first task will be a systematic review. For the second and third tasks, people with CRD, their informal carers and health professionals will be recruited via the pulmonology services from the hospitals:Unidade Local de Saúde de Gaia/Espinho, Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Aveiro, and Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre o Douro e Vouga. On task 2, a mixed-methods study will be conducted to characterize the needs of informal carers of people with CRD, as well as their health literacy. On task 3, an instrument that assesses the needs of informal carers of people with CRD will be developed and its measurement properties will be studied. This study is urgently needed to provide meaningful support to this hidden workforce who provides most of the care to people with DRC contributing to guide meaningful supportive care to this population and their loved ones.
Inclusion Criteria: * People with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD): * 18 years of age or older; * Diagnosed with ILD, COPD, lung cancer, severe asthma or bronchiectasis; * Fluent in Portuguese; * Identify an informal/family carer; * Informal carers of people with CRD: * 18 years of age or older; * Fluent in Portuguese. * Health Professionals: * Fluent in Portuguese; * Contact with people with CRD in their clinical practice. Exclusion Criteria: * People with CRD: * Signs of cognitive impairment in the Six-item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) for the interviews. * Informal carers of people with CRD: * Signs of cognitive impairment in the 6CIT.