AIM: Pharmacological therapy is crucial for managing COPD, however understanding patient journey and exploring their perceptions and emotions is key to ensure that people living with COPD receive the necessary support to best manage their health condition. Thus, the objective of this human factors study was to identify the unmet needs in COPD patients? daily lives. METHODS: Face to face 60 min interviews  were conducted in 8 EU Countries with 62 mild to severe COPD patients of all age ranges, to gather feedback on the diagnosis process, symptoms, disease management, and challenges in living with COPD. RESULTS: Patients stated that their diagnosis had taken over 6 months and felt that they did not get enough information at the point of diagnosis. They mentioned not being involved in treatment choices and after diagnosis becoming less active and unwilling to know more about the disease due to fear for their future. Patients expressed not being proactive in asking for help or fighting for a better life. Reduction in quality of life (including social, family, work, hobbies activities), persistent symptoms, cumbersome treatment regimes, unpredictable environmental factors (pollution, weather, scents) and dealing with their emotional load (anxiety, embarrassment, depression and fear for future) were considered the key challenges in living with COPD. CONCLUSION: These first results highlight the emotional and psychological aspects of people living with COPD beyond the clinical status. The novel approach of this study could lay the ground for a new methodology of developing solutions that consider not only symptoms but also the impact of the disease on patients? daily life.