Best practice in COPD care: a health equity approach

Abstract

There is a strong evidence base for the best care in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in its five fundamentals of COPD care: offer treatment and support to stop smoking; offer pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations; offer pulmonary rehabilitation if indicated; codevelop a personalised self-management plan; and optimise treatment for comorbidities. However, only a minority of those living with COPD receive or engage with all five interventions, with clear implications for outcomes. Further, barriers which prevent people who live with COPD accessing necessary care are unequally experienced. In order to overcome many of these barriers, clinicians caring for people with COPD must prioritise personalised treatment and continuity of care.

Keywords: Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Primary Health Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Secondary Care.