General practice management of COPD patients following acute exacerbations: a qualitative study

Bianca Perera; Chris Barton; Christian Osadnik

doi:10.3399/BJGP.2022.0342

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Collaborative management of COPD in communities
Ryuichi Ohta

Published on: 10 March 2023

Published on: (10 March 2023)
Page navigation anchor for Collaborative management of COPD in communities
Collaborative management of COPD in communities
Ryuichi Ohta, Family physician, Unnan City Hospital, Japan
The gap between demands and capacities regarding COPD care in communities is huge, as Perera et al. suggested.¹ General practitioners have difficulties with the care of COPD patients, causing an increase in the frequency of exacerbation of COPD. The causes of the difficulty may come from the complicated management suggested by authorities and inadequate patients’ understanding of COPD management in their communities. The gap is gradually widening because of advancements in medications and instruments for COPD patient care.

Considering the present primary care in developed countries, comprehensive revision is needed for the feasibility of patient care. Present medical systems in communities depend on the efforts of medical institutions and community professionals such as general practitioners, nurses, and other medical professionals in communities. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been advanced through various communication methods and information-sharing systems.²However, as this article shows, the lack of patients’ participation in managing medical conditions may impinge on community healthcare and exhaust medical professionals in communities.¹

To improve COPD care in communities, empowering COPD patients to control their symptoms is essential. Self-management is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic disease exacerbation, including COPD.³General practitioners and community worke...
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The gap between demands and capacities regarding COPD care in communities is huge, as Perera et al. suggested.¹ General practitioners have difficulties with the care of COPD patients, causing an increase in the frequency of exacerbation of COPD. The causes of the difficulty may come from the complicated management suggested by authorities and inadequate patients’ understanding of COPD management in their communities. The gap is gradually widening because of advancements in medications and instruments for COPD patient care.

Considering the present primary care in developed countries, comprehensive revision is needed for the feasibility of patient care. Present medical systems in communities depend on the efforts of medical institutions and community professionals such as general practitioners, nurses, and other medical professionals in communities. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been advanced through various communication methods and information-sharing systems.²However, as this article shows, the lack of patients’ participation in managing medical conditions may impinge on community healthcare and exhaust medical professionals in communities.¹

To improve COPD care in communities, empowering COPD patients to control their symptoms is essential. Self-management is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic disease exacerbation, including COPD.³General practitioners and community workers can facilitate the patients to adhere to effective management. Furthermore, the dialogue among medical professionals and patients regarding self-managements should be respected in making guidelines for COPD management.⁴Fitting the contents of guidelines to healthcare in communities respecting health promotion and vaccinations can improve comprehensive care of COPD patients.

References
1. Perera B, Barton C, Osadnik C. General practice management of COPD patients following acute exacerbations: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract 2023;73(728):e186-e195. DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0342.
2. World Health Organization. Interprofessional collaborative practice in primary health care: nursing and midwifery perspectives. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2013. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/120098
3. Ohta R, Ryu Y, Sano C. Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022;19(11) (In eng). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116652.
4. Ohta R, Ryu Y, Kitayuguchi J, Sano C, Könings KD. Educational Intervention to Improve Citizen's Healthcare Participation Perception in Rural Japanese Communities: A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18(4) (In eng). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041782.
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Competing Interests: None declared.