Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care: a questionnaire survey in western Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the primary care management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to COPD guidelines.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent out to all Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) in western Sweden (n=232). The response rate was 75%.


RESULTS
A majority of the PHCCs had a nurse and physician responsible for COPD care. They used spirometry equipment regularly, but only 50% reported that they calibrated it at least weekly. Less than 30% of the PHCCs reported access to a dietician, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. There was a structured smoking cessation program in 50% of the PHCCs. Larger PHCCs were more likely to use spirometry equipment regularly and to have specific personnel for COPD care.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to establish structured programs for COPD care including smoking cessation programs for COPD patients with special trained staff. Larger PHCCs have a better infrastructure for providing guideline-defined COPD care.
Thorn
Jörgen
J
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden. jorgen.thorn@allmed.gu.se
Norrhall
Maria
M
Larsson
Ronny
R
Curiac
Dan
D
Axelsson
Gösta
G
Ammon
Carina
C
Månsson
Jörgen
J
Brisman
Jonas
J
Söderström
Anna-Lena
AL
Björkelund
Cecilia
C
D002138:Calibration; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013147:Spirometry / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden