Comparison of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] by family physician and consultants

ABSTRACT

The goal of the study is to determine whether care for COPD patients is more consistent with guidelines when a Consultant rather than a Family Physician treat the patients. We use the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease Guidelines as a standard 1. We studied seven parameters, offering Pulmonary Function Test, Smoking cassation guidance, vaccination, use of oral steroid, inhaled steroids, inhaled Impratropium bromide, and symptom documentation. We concluded that both Family Physicians and Consultants are not fully following the guidelines. In compression Consultants are better than Family Physicians