Accuracy of diagnosis and classification of COPD in primary and specialist nurse-led respiratory care in Rotherham, UK: a cross-sectional study

Study on the impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

BACKGROUND

Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression will not only aggravate the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and reduce the quality of life of patients, but also affect the treatment effect and long-term prognosis. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the clinical application of senile comprehensive assessment in the treatment of COPD and its influence on psychological factors such as anxiety and depression.

AIM

To explore the clinical application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care and its impact on anxiety and depression in elderly patents.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 60 patients with COPD who were hospitalized in our hospital from 2019 to 2020 were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each group. The control group was given routine nursing, and the observation group was given comprehensive assessment. Clinical symptoms, quality of life [COPD assessment test (CAT) score], anxiety and depression Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

CAT scores in the observation group decreased from an average of 24.5 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge, and in the control group from an average of 24.7 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge. The average score was 22.1 (P < 0.05). In the observation group, HAMA scores decreased from 14.2 points at admission to 8.6 points at discharge, and HAMD scores decreased from 13.8 points at admission to 7.4 points at discharge. The mean HAMD scores in the control group decreased from an average of 14.5 at admission to an average of 12.3 at discharge, and from an average of 14.1 at admission to an average of 11.8 at discharge.

CONCLUSION

The application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care has a significant effect on improving patients' clinical symptoms and quality of life, and can effectively reduce patients' anxiety and depression.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis of observational studies aimed at estimating the overall prevalence of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). MedLine, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched, and random-effect meta-analyses of proportions were stratified by spirometry criteria (Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) or Lower Limit of Normal (LLN)), and setting (hospital or primary care). Forty-two studies were included. Combining the data from 39 datasets, including a total of 23,765 subjects, the pooled prevalence of COPD overdiagnosis, according to the GOLD definition, was 42.0% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 37.3-46.8%). The pooled prevalence according to the LLN definition was 48.2% (40.6-55.9%). The overdiagnosis rate was higher in primary care than in hospital settings. Fourteen studies, including a total of 8183 individuals, were included in the meta-analysis estimating the prevalence of COPD overtreatment. The pooled rates of overtreatment according to GOLD and LLN definitions were 57.1% (40.9-72.6%) and 36.3% (17.8-57.2%), respectively. When spirometry is not used, a large proportion of patients are erroneously diagnosed with COPD. Approximately half of them are also incorrectly treated, with potential adverse effects and a massive inefficiency of resources allocation. Strategies to increase the compliance to current guidelines on COPD diagnosis are urgently needed.

Airway Obstruction in Primary Care Patients: Need for Implementing Spirometry Use

(1) Background: To detect early airway obstruction in an adult primary care setting. (2) Methods: Seventeen general practitioners (GP) were involved. A total of 912 patients consulting their GPs over 40 years were recruited: 583 of them (323M) agreed to perform/undergo all the procedures: respiratory questionnaire, mMRC questionnaire, and spirometry. We identified four subgroups: physician COPD patients; physician asthma patients; asthma-COPD overlap syndrome patients; and no respiratory diagnosis subjects, on the basis of physician diagnosis. For screening purposes, an FEV1/FVC < 70% was considered a marker of airway obstruction (AO). (3) Results: Prevalence rates of COPD, A, and ACOS were 12.5%, 7.8%, and 3.6%, respectively. In the overall sample 16.3% showed airway obstruction: 26% mild, 56% moderate, 17% severe, and 1% very severe. In obstructed subjects, those reporting neither respiratory symptoms nor a physician’s respiratory diagnosis were 60% level I; 43% level II; 44% level III; and none level IV. Wheezing (p < 0.001), sputum (p = 0.01), older age (p < 0.0001), and male gender (p = 0.002) were the best predictors of airway obstruction. (4) Conclusions: A high prevalence of AO was found. In AO we found a high prevalence of subjects without respiratory symptoms or respiratory chronic diagnosis. Airway obstruction was predicted by the presence of wheezing, sputum, older age, and male gender.

Quality Standard Position Statements for Health System Policy Changes in Diagnosis and Management of COPD: A Global Perspective

Introduction

Despite being a leading cause of death worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is underdiagnosed and underprioritized within healthcare systems. Existing healthcare policies should be revisited to include COPD prevention and management as a global priority. Here, we propose and describe health system quality standard position statements that should be implemented as a consistent standard of care for patients with COPD.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group of clinicians with expertise in COPD management together with patient advocates from eight countries participated in a quality standards review meeting convened in April 2021. The principal objective was to achieve consensus on global health system priorities to ensure consistent standards of care for COPD. These quality standard position statements were either evidence-based or reflected the combined views of the panel.

Results

On the basis of discussions, the experts adopted five quality standard position statements, including the rationale for their inclusion, supporting clinical evidence, and essential criteria for quality metrics. These quality standard position statements emphasize the core elements of COPD care, including (1) diagnosis, (2) adequate patient and caregiver education, (3) access to medical and nonmedical treatments aligned with the latest evidence-based recommendations and appropriate management by a respiratory specialist when required, (4) appropriate management of acute COPD exacerbations, and (5) regular patient and caregiver follow-up for care plan reviews.

Conclusions

These practical quality standards may be applicable to and implemented at both local and national levels. While universally applicable to the core elements of appropriate COPD care, they can be adapted to consider differences in healthcare resources and priorities, organizational structure, and care delivery capabilities of individual healthcare systems. We encourage the adoption of these global quality standards by policymakers and healthcare practitioners alike to inform national and regional health system policy revisions to improve the quality and consistency of COPD care worldwide.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-022-02137-x.

Characteristics of COPD Patients Prescribed ICS Managed in General Practice vs. Secondary Care

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for COPD have been much debated. Our aim was to investigate characteristics of ICS prescribed COPD patients managed only in general practice compared to those also managed in secondary care. Participating general practitioners recruited patients with COPD (ICPC 2nd ed. code R95) currently prescribed ICS (ACT code R03AK and R03BA). Data on demographics, comorbidities, smoking habits, spirometry, dyspnea score and exacerbation history were retrieved from medical records. Logistic regression analysis was applied to detect predictors associated with management in secondary care. 2,279 COPD patients (45% males and mean age 71 years) were recruited in primary care. Compared to patients managed in primary care only (n = 1,179), patients also managed in secondary care (n = 560) were younger (p = 0.013), had lower BMI, more life-time tobacco exposure (p = 0.03), more exacerbations (p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (p < 0.001) and lower FEV₁/FVC-ratio (0.59 versus 0.52, respectively). Compared to patients managed in only primary care, logistic regression analysis revealed that management also in secondary care was associated to MRC-score ≥3 (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.50-4.86; p = 0.001), FEV₁%pred (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99; p = 0.036), and systemic corticosteroids for COPD exacerbation (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.10-1.89; p = 0.008). In COPD patients prescribed ICS recruited in primary care, patients also managed in secondary care had more respiratory symptoms, lower lung function and exacerbations treated with systemic corticosteroids indicating that the most severe COPD patients, in general, are referred for specialist care.

The critical need for nursing education to address the diagnostic process

Diagnostic errors are among the most common medical errors and the deadliest. The National Academy of Medicine recently concluded that diagnostic errors represent an urgent national concern. Their first recommendation to address this issue called for promoting the key role of the nurse in the diagnostic process. Registered nurses across clinical settings significantly contribute to the medical diagnostic process, though their role in diagnosis has historically gone unacknowledged. In this paper, we review the history and current state of diagnostic education in pre-licensure registered nurse preparation, introduce interprofessional individual- and team-based competencies to improve diagnostic safety, and discuss the next steps for nursing education. Nurses educated and empowered to fully participate in the diagnostic process are essential for achieving better, safer patient outcomes.

Risk of incident dementia and cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A large UK population-based study

BACKGROUND

Although cognitive impairment and dementia are common comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), estimates of incidence following a diagnosis of COPD are inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia in people with and without a COPD diagnosis.

METHODS

A population-based study using UK General Practice (GP) health records from The Health Improvement Network database was conducted. Patients with confirmed COPD diagnosis, ≥40 years old, were matched to up to four subjects without a COPD diagnosis by age, sex and GP practice. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the incidence rates of cognitive impairment and dementia.

RESULTS

Of patients with COPD (n = 62,148), 9% developed cognitive impairment, compared with 7% of subjects without COPD (n = 230,076), p < 0.001. The incidence of cognitive impairment following COPD diagnosis was greater than in subjects without COPD following index date (adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR), 1.21; 95% CI: 1.16 ─ 1.26, p < 0.001). The coded incidence of either cognitive impairment or dementia was also greater in patients with COPD following adjustment for confounders (aHR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09 ─ 1.18, p < 0.001). Coded incident dementia alone was not different between patients with COPD and subjects without COPD (aHR, 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83 ─ 1.01, p = 0.053).

CONCLUSION

Despite the increased incidence of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD, incidence of dementia was not as frequently recorded in patients with COPD. This raises the concern of undiagnosed dementia and emphasises the need for a systematic assessment in this population.

Diagnosing COPD in primary care: what has real life practice got to do with guidelines?

BACKGROUND

The role of primary care physician in COPD management varies in different health care systems. According to the researches in various countries, extent of spirometry use in diagnosing and grading COPD frequently remains insufficient. Inaccurate diagnosis results in mistreatment and disease progression.The aims of our study were to investigate the accuracy of COPD diagnosis, grading, and treatment according to guidelines in daily practice of primary care.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of ambulatory records in a large primary care center was conducted. Digital medical records of current patients were screened for ICD-10-AM codes J44.0, J44.1, J44.8 and J44.9. All medical records starting from the first visit in this primary care center were reviewed.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-eight patients diagnosed with COPD were included in the study, 118 male, mean age 67 yrs. (SD 14). A spirometry report was available to 58% of the patients, 75% of them met the guidelines for COPD diagnosis. The grade was correct for 56.8% of the patients. 54% were consulted by the pulmonologist at least once. After re-analyzing spirometry, correcting the diagnosis, and grading, it was determined that only 70% of the patients were receiving appropriate treatments. Sixteen per cent of patients were undertreated and 14% were overtreated.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD care in primary practice remains suboptimal. Incorrect approach often leads to incorrect grading and mistreatment. Points for improvement should be identified in further studies.

COPD overdiagnosis in primary care: a UK observational study of consistency of airflow obstruction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is heterogeneous, but persistent airflow obstruction (AFO) is fundamental to diagnosis. We studied AFO consistency from initial diagnosis and explored factors associated with absent or inconsistent AFO. This was a retrospective observational study using patient-anonymised routine individual data in Care and Health Information Analytics (CHIA) database. Identifying a prevalent COPD cohort based on diagnostic codes in primary care records, we used serial ratios of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) from time of initial COPD diagnosis to assign patients to one of three AFO categories, according to whether all (persistent), some (variable) or none (absent) were <70%. We described respiratory prescriptions over 3 years (2011-2013) and used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds of absent or variable AFO and potential predictors. We identified 14,378 patients with diagnosed COPD (mean ± SD age 68.8 ± 10.7 years), median (IQR) COPD duration of 60 (25,103) months. FEV1/FVC% was recorded in 12,491 (86.9%) patients: median (IQR) 5 (3, 7) measurements. Six thousand five hundred and fifty (52.4%) had persistent AFO, 4507 (36.1%) variable AFO and 1434 (11.5%) absent AFO. Being female, never smoking, having higher BMI or more comorbidities significantly predicted absent and variable AFO. Despite absent AFO, 57% received long-acting bronchodilators and 60% inhaled corticosteroids (50% and 49%, respectively, in those without asthma). In all, 13.1% of patients diagnosed with COPD had unrecorded FEV1/FVC%; 11.5% had absent AFO on repeated measurements, yet many received inhalers likely to be ineffective. Such prescribing is not evidence based and the true cause of symptoms may have been missed.

Accuracy of diagnosis of COPD and factors associated with misdiagnosis in primary care setting. E-DIAL (Early DIAgnosis of obstructive lung disease) study group

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results in both substantial and increasing socioeconomic burden. Guidelines on COPD encourage primary care physicians to detect the disease at an early stage. Our main aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the diagnosis of COPD at the primary health care.

METHODS

6466 patients were randomly selected in 22 Italian primary care practices (46% males, mean age 56 ± 16 years) and were asked about respiratory symptoms and risk for any chronic respiratory disease including COPD. After a prior evaluation, 701 patients (51% males, mean age 59 ± 15 years) were sent by General Practitioners (GPs) to Pulmonary Units (PU) for confirming the diagnosis. The agreement in diagnosing COPD between GPs and pulmonary diseases specialists was assessed by using Cohen's kappa (k) statistic.

RESULTS

Lack of precision in COPD diagnosis resulted in 13% of over-diagnosis and 59% of under-diagnosis. GPs were quite good in correctly excluding the patients who did not have COPD (specificity = 87%), but less good in diagnosing the patients with COPD (sensitivity = 41%). The risk of under-diagnosis was higher in people with age >62 years and in current/ex-smokers, when compared to no COPD, whereas it was higher in subject <62 years old and in those with no previous spirometry when compared to correctly diagnosed COPD.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm that COPD misdiagnosis is common in primary care and that under-diagnosis is a major problem. It is necessary to enhance COPD diagnosis and to reduce misdiagnosis in primary care settings.

Agreement between hospital and primary care on diagnostic labeling for COPD and heart failure in Toronto, Canada: a cross-sectional observational study

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure (HF) are frequently cared for in hospital and in primary care settings. We studied labeling agreement for COPD and HF for patients seen in both settings in Toronto, Canada. This was a retrospective observational study using linked hospital-primary care electronic data from 70 family physicians. Patients were 20 years of age or more and had at least one visit in both settings between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014. We recorded labeling concordance and associations with clinical factors. We used capture-recapture models to estimate the size of the populations. COPD concordance was 34%; the odds ratios (ORs) of concordance increased with aging (OR 1.84 for age 75+ vs. <65, 95% CI 0.92-3.69) and more inpatient admissions (OR 2.89 for 3+ visits vs. 0 visits, 95% CI 1.59-5.26). HF concordance was 33%; the ORs of concordance decreased with aging (OR 0.39 for 75+ vs. <65, 95% CI 0.18-0.86) and increased with more admissions (OR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.33-4.30 for 3+ visits vs. 0 visits). Based on capture-recapture models, 21-24% additional patients with COPD and 18-20% additional patients with HF did not have a label in either setting. The primary care prevalence was estimated as 748 COPD patients and 834 HF patients per 100,000 enrolled adult patients. Agreement levels for COPD and HF were low and labeling was incomplete. Further research is needed to improve labeling for these conditions.

Missed diagnosis and overtreatment of COPD among smoking primary care population in Central Greece: old problems persist

Background

The diagnosis of COPD is not always consistent with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy in daily clinical practice, especially in primary care. This study aimed to estimate the overall COPD prevalence and severity, to identify differences between newly and previously diagnosed patients, and to evaluate the potential COPD overtreatment in a smoking population attending a primary care spirometry surveillance program.

Methods

A study was conducted in 10 primary health care centers of Central Greece during a 7-month period. Eligible participants were aged ≥40 years and were either current smokers or exsmokers.

Results

A total of 186 subjects were included (68% males, mean age 62.3±12.6 years, mean life-time tobacco exposure 50 pack-years). COPD prevalence was 17.8%, identified to be higher in elderly males. Forty-two percent of the COPD group were newly diagnosed patients, who were of younger age, current smokers, presented with less dyspnea and better health status, and mainly appeared with mild-to-moderate disease. Interestingly, 61.4% of non-COPD and 85.7% of newly diagnosed COPD individuals had been using inhaled medication under primary care provider's prescription without ever undergoing spirometry or further evaluation by a pulmonologist; thus, the phenomena of COPD overdiagnosis and missed diagnosis came into the spotlight. Moreover, only 26.3% of known COPD patients were properly medicated according to GOLD guidelines, while half of them were inappropriately treated with triple inhaled therapy.

Conclusion

We reported a significant prevalence of COPD in smoking population attending this spirometry program. A remarkable proportion of COPD patients were undiagnosed and made case finding worthwhile. Underutilization of spirometry in the diagnosis and management of COPD as well as general practitioners' nonadherence to the GOLD treatment guidelines was confirmed by our data. These findings highlight the need for a major overhaul and culture change in primary care settings of Central Greece.

The recording and characteristics of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD using The Health Information Network (THIN) primary care database

Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for patients with COPD to improve physical function, breathlessness and quality of life. Using The Health Information Network (THIN) primary care database in UK, we compared the demographic and clinical parameters of patients with COPD in relation to coding of pulmonary rehabilitation, and to investigate whether there is a survival benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. We identified patients with COPD, diagnosed from 2004 and extracted information on demographics, pulmonary rehabilitation and clinical parameters using the relevant Read codes. Thirty six thousand one hundred and eighty nine patients diagnosed with COPD were included with a mean (SD) age of 67 (11) years, 53% were male and only 9.8% had a code related to either being assessed, referred, or completing pulmonary rehabilitation ever. Younger age at diagnosis, better socioeconomic status, worse dyspnoea score, current smoking, and higher comorbidities level are more likely to have a record of pulmonary rehabilitation. Of those with a recorded MRC of 3 or worse, only 2057 (21%) had a code of pulmonary rehabilitation. Survival analysis revealed that patients with coding for pulmonary rehabilitation were 22% (95% CI 0.69-0.88) less likely to die than those who had no coding. In UK THIN records, a substantial proportion of eligible patients with COPD have not had a coded pulmonary rehabilitation record. Survival was improved in those with PR record but coding for other COPD treatments were also better in this group. GP practices need to improve the coding for PR to highlight any unmet need locally.

CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE

ROLLING OUT THE REHAB: Analysis of recent UK data suggests that more patients with chronic lung disease could benefit from lung rehabilitation programmes. During pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) work with specialists to learn exercises and optimise breathing techniques. The programmes are recommended under current guidelines, particularly for patients with a high breathlessness score. Despite this, when Charlotte Bolton and co-workers at the University of Nottingham analysed 36,189 patient primary care records gathered since 2004, they found only 9.8% of COPD patients had ever had a coded record of being assessed, referred for, or undertaken PR. Those patients who completed PR were 22% less likely to die that those who didn't, although appeared they had also received better overall COPD care. Current smokers, those suffering from co-morbidities and younger patients were more likely to receive PR than other patient groups.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: The Effect of Definitions on Measures of Burden

Background: Although the overlap between asthma and COPD has been recognized for years this overlap has only recently been given a name, asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), and better defined. Different definitions of the component diseases can affect prevalence and outcome measures of ACOS. Methods: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007-2012 to determine the population estimates of ACOS in U.S. adults using 2 different definitions of ACOS (ACOS1= self-reported COPD and current asthma; ACOS2 = spirometric-confirmed COPD [pre-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC < 70%] and current asthma) and to describe variation in other factors, such as lung function impairment and health care utilization, by ACOS definitions. Results: Among U.S. adults aged 20 and older, 1.6% had ACOS1, and 1.9% had ACOS2. Both case definitions were similar with regard to symptoms and impairment of lung function. ACOS1 individuals were more likely to have one or more overnight hospital stays relative to those with neither asthma nor COPD, (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5, 4.6) than ACOS2 (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9, 2.9). Conclusions: Different definitions of ACOS in population-based studies affect both estimates of disease prevalence and outcomes related to the disease. These definitions need to be carefully considered in the design of epidemiologic studies and clinical trials.

Managing complex respiratory patients in the community: an evaluation of a pilot integrated respiratory care service

Introduction

In the UK, there is significant variation in respiratory care and outcomes. An integrated approach to the management of high-risk respiratory patients, incorporating specialist and primary care teams' expertise, is the basis for new integrated respiratory services designed to reduce this variation; however, this model needs evaluating.

Methods

To evaluate an integrated service managing high-risk respiratory patients, electronic searches for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at risk of poor outcomes were performed in two general practitioner (GP) practices in a local service-development initiative. Patients were reviewed at joint clinics by primary and secondary care professionals. GPs also nominated patients for inclusion. Reviews were delivered to best standards of care including assessments of diagnosis, control, spirometry, self-management, education, medication, inhaler technique and smoking cessation support. Follow-up of routine clinical data collected at 9-months postclinic were compared with seasonally matched 9-months prior to integrated review.

Results

82 patients were identified, 55 attended. 13 (23.6%) had their primary diagnosis changed. In comparison with the seasonally adjusted baseline period, in the 9-month follow-up there was an increase in inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions of 23.3%, a reduction in short-acting β₂-agonist prescription of 33.3%, a reduction in acute respiratory exacerbations of 67.6%, in unscheduled GP surgery visits of 53.3% and acute respiratory hospital admissions reduced from 3 to 0. Only 4 patients (7.3%) required referral to secondary care. Health economic evaluation showed respiratory-related costs per patient reduced by £231.86.

Conclusions

Patients with respiratory disease in this region at risk of suboptimal outcomes identified proactively and managed by an integrated team improved outcomes without the need for hospital referral.

Evidence for models of diagnostic service provision in the community: literature mapping exercise and focused rapid reviews

Background

Current NHS policy favours the expansion of diagnostic testing services in community and primary care settings.

Objectives

Our objectives were to identify current models of community diagnostic services in the UK and internationally and to assess the evidence for quality, safety and clinical effectiveness of such services. We were also interested in whether or not there is any evidence to support a broader range of diagnostic tests being provided in the community.

Review methods

We performed an initial broad literature mapping exercise to assess the quantity and nature of the published research evidence. The results were used to inform selection of three areas for investigation in more detail. We chose to perform focused reviews on logistics of diagnostic modalities in primary care (because the relevant issues differ widely between different types of test); diagnostic ultrasound (a key diagnostic technology affected by developments in equipment); and a diagnostic pathway (assessment of breathlessness) typically delivered wholly or partly in primary care/community settings. Databases and other sources searched, and search dates, were decided individually for each review. Quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews and primary studies of any design were eligible for inclusion.

Results

We identified seven main models of service that are delivered in primary care/community settings and in most cases with the possible involvement of community/primary care staff. Not all of these models are relevant to all types of diagnostic test. Overall, the evidence base for community- and primary care-based diagnostic services was limited, with very few controlled studies comparing different models of service. We found evidence from different settings that these services can reduce referrals to secondary care and allow more patients to be managed in primary care, but the quality of the research was generally poor. Evidence on the quality (including diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of test ordering) and safety of such services was mixed.

Conclusions

In the absence of clear evidence of superior clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, the expansion of community-based services appears to be driven by other factors. These include policies to encourage moving services out of hospitals; the promise of reduced waiting times for diagnosis; the availability of a wider range of suitable tests and/or cheaper, more user-friendly equipment; and the ability of commercial providers to bid for NHS contracts. However, service development also faces a number of barriers, including issues related to staffing, training, governance and quality control.

Limitations

We have not attempted to cover all types of diagnostic technology in equal depth. Time and staff resources constrained our ability to carry out review processes in duplicate. Research in this field is limited by the difficulty of obtaining, from publicly available sources, up-to-date information about what models of service are commissioned, where and from which providers.

Future work

There is a need for research to compare the outcomes of different service models using robust study designs. Comparisons of ‘true’ community-based services with secondary care-based open-access services and rapid access clinics would be particularly valuable. There are specific needs for economic evaluations and for studies that incorporate effects on the wider health system. There appears to be no easy way of identifying what services are being commissioned from whom and keeping up with local evaluations of new services, suggesting a need to improve the availability of information in this area.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Geographic Accessibility of Pulmonologists for Adults With COPD: United States, 2013

BACKGROUND

Geographic clusters in prevalence and hospitalizations for COPD have been identified at national, state, and county levels. The study objective is to identify county-level geographic accessibility to pulmonologists for adults with COPD.

METHODS

Service locations of 12,392 practicing pulmonologists and 248,160 primary care physicians were identified from the 2013 National Provider Identifier Registry and weighted by census block-level populations within a series of circular distance buffer zones. Model-based county-level population counts of US adults ≥ 18 years of age with COPD were estimated from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The percentages of all estimated adults with potential access to at least one provider type and the county-level ratio of adults with COPD per pulmonologist were estimated for selected distances.

RESULTS

Most US adults (100% in urbanized areas, 99.5% in urban clusters, and 91.7% in rural areas) had geographic access to a primary care physician within a 10-mile buffer distance; almost all (≥ 99.9%) had access to a primary care physician within 50 miles. At least one pulmonologist within 10 miles was available for 97.5% of US adults living in urbanized areas, but only for 38.3% in urban clusters and 34.5% in rural areas. When distance increased to 50 miles, at least one pulmonologist was available for 100% in urbanized areas, 93.2% in urban clusters, and 95.2% in rural areas. County-level ratios of adults with COPD per pulmonologist varied greatly across the United States, with residents in many counties in the Midwest having no pulmonologist within 50 miles.

CONCLUSIONS

County-level geographic variations in pulmonologist access for adults with COPD suggest that those adults with limited access will have to depend on care from primary care physicians.

Coordination of care for patients with COPD: Clinical points of interest

The management of care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improved over the last years but is still very complex. Both over- and underdiagnosis are often reported and misclassification of disease severity is common. Differentiating between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome remains difficult. Much is known about the effectiveness of treatment approaches in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but patients are often not treated according to the guidelines, and we need more evidence on effectiveness in phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Care coordination is of great importance and can help to further improve care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation and self-management are considered important aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease care. In our opinion, there is a major role for eHealth to improve coordination of care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.