scholarly journals PRS37 Analysis of the Economic IMPACT of the Inclusion of General Practitioners on Prescribing Drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. S723
Author(s):  
U. Restelli ◽  
P. Santus ◽  
A. Vaghi ◽  
C. Arosio ◽  
G. Ruffato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

scholarly journals Early detection of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Vukoja ◽  
Predrag Rebic ◽  
Zorica Lazic ◽  
Marija Mitic-Milikic ◽  
Branislava Milenkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Primary Care Patients

Introduction. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often unrecognized and undertreated. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in primary care patients in Serbia, and to examine the agreement between general practitioners and pulmonologists on the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Material and Methods. In this multicenter observational study, the general practitioners identified eligible patients from October 2009 to June 2010. The study included all adult patients with respiratory symptoms and/or smoking history based on structured interview. The patients were referred to a pulmonologist and underwent a diagnostic work-up, including spirometry. Results. There were 2074 patients, 38.4% men, their mean age being 54?15.5 years. The patients were mostly current (40.3%) or ex-smokers (27.4%). The common symptoms included shortness of breath (84.9%), cough (79.1%) and wheezing (64.3%). The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was confirmed by pulmonologists in 454 (21.9%) and asthma in 455 (21.9%) patients. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was newly diagnosed in 226 (10.9%) and asthma in 269 (13%) of the cases. There was a moderate agreement between the pulmonologists and general practitioners on the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (kappa 0.41, 95%CI 0.36-0.46) and asthma (kappa 0.42, 95% CI 0.37-0.465). Conclusion. A significant number of patients seen in the general practitioner?s office were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma and half of them represent new cases. A substantial proportion of patients referred to a pulmonologist by primary care physicians have been misdiagnosed.

Managing Severe Chronic Breathlessness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Challenging for General Practitioners

2020 ◽  
pp. 104990912095906
Author(s):  
John Politis ◽  
Peter Eastman ◽  
Brian Le ◽  
John Furler ◽  
Louis Irving ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Severe Copd

Context: Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can develop increasing breathlessness, which can persist despite optimal medical management—refractory breathlessness. Management can be challenging for all clinicians and requires a broad approach that includes optimization of disease directed therapies, non-pharmacological strategies to manage breathlessness and for some patients opioids. Objectives: To explore the approaches to breathlessness management and palliative care undertaken by Australian General Practitioners (GP) for patients with severe COPD and refractory breathlessness. Methods: A case-vignette based survey was conducted with Australian GPs to determine their approaches to breathlessness management and palliative care in COPD. Results: Of the 137 GPs, 66% recommended commencing an additional medication to manage refractory breathlessness. Thirty-eight GPs (28%) recommended opioids and 26 (19%) recommended guideline discordant treatments. Two-thirds of GPs had concerns regarding the use of opioids in COPD. Half (55%) of GPs were comfortable providing general palliative care to patients with COPD and 62 (45%) had referred patients with COPD to specialist palliative care services. Most respondents wanted further training to manage severe COPD and severe chronic breathlessness. Conclusion: Most GPs recognized and were willing to add specific treatments for severe chronic breathlessness. However, experience prescribing opioids for severe chronic breathlessness was low, with many practitioners holding significant concerns regarding adverse effects. Many GPs are uncomfortable offering a palliative approach to their COPD patients, yet these patients are not routinely referred to specialist palliative care services despite their immense needs. GPs therefore desire education and support to overcome these barriers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document