TY - JOUR
T1 - Management of COPD in general practice in Denmark--participating in an educational program substantially improves adherence to guidelines
AU - Ulrik, Charlotte Suppli
AU - Hansen, Ejvind Frausing
AU - Jensen, Michael Skov
AU - Rasmussen, Finn Vejlø
AU - Dollerup, Jens
AU - Hansen, Gert
AU - Andersen, Klaus Kaae
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The general practitioner (GP) is the first contact with the health care system for most patients with COPD in Denmark. We studied, if participating in an educational program could improve adherence to guidelines, not least for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of the disease. DESIGN AND SETTING: Two cross-sectional surveys were performed precisely one year apart before and after an educational program for the participating GPs. A total of 124 GPs completed the study; 1716 and 1342 patients with GP-diagnosed COPD and no concomitant asthma, respectively, were included in the two surveys. RESULTS: The proportion of patients having FEV(1) registered in the GPs files increased from 45% to 69% (P < 0.001); and, furthermore, FEV(1) % of predicted was recorded in 30% and 56%, respectively, of the cases (P < 0.001). In line with this, significant improvements were also observed for registration of smoking status (69% to 85%), BMI (8% to 40%), severity of dyspnea (Medical Research Council) (7% to 38%), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (28% to 58%) (P < 0.001). Concerning the management options, improvements were also observed with regard to antismoking counseling, inhalator technique, physical activity, and referral for rehabilitation; use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild COPD (FEV(1) > 80%pred) declined from 76% to 45%. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and management of COPD in general practice in Denmark is not according to guidelines, but substantial improvements can be achieved by focused education of GPs and their staff.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The general practitioner (GP) is the first contact with the health care system for most patients with COPD in Denmark. We studied, if participating in an educational program could improve adherence to guidelines, not least for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of the disease. DESIGN AND SETTING: Two cross-sectional surveys were performed precisely one year apart before and after an educational program for the participating GPs. A total of 124 GPs completed the study; 1716 and 1342 patients with GP-diagnosed COPD and no concomitant asthma, respectively, were included in the two surveys. RESULTS: The proportion of patients having FEV(1) registered in the GPs files increased from 45% to 69% (P < 0.001); and, furthermore, FEV(1) % of predicted was recorded in 30% and 56%, respectively, of the cases (P < 0.001). In line with this, significant improvements were also observed for registration of smoking status (69% to 85%), BMI (8% to 40%), severity of dyspnea (Medical Research Council) (7% to 38%), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (28% to 58%) (P < 0.001). Concerning the management options, improvements were also observed with regard to antismoking counseling, inhalator technique, physical activity, and referral for rehabilitation; use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild COPD (FEV(1) > 80%pred) declined from 76% to 45%. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and management of COPD in general practice in Denmark is not according to guidelines, but substantial improvements can be achieved by focused education of GPs and their staff.
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1178-2005
VL - 5
SP - 73
EP - 79
JO - International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Online)
JF - International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Online)
ER -