Barriers to the use of spirometry in general practice.
Aust Fam Physician
; 34(3): 201-3, 2005 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15799676
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Guidelines advise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be diagnosed and managed by using spirometry to demonstrate irreversible airflow limitation and monitor change in smokers and ex-smokers aged over 35 years.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study of patients and their general practitioners investigating use of spirometry in COPD in two practices by lung function assessment, review of practice records, interviews and focus groups.RESULTS:
Sixteen GPs, and 38 patients with a diagnosis of COPD participated. At diagnosis, although 72% had spirometry, this occurred in only 41% of 17 patients diagnosed by a GP; but in all 19 cases when a specialist was involved. Diagnosis often occurred late, despite all patients having previously recorded symptoms typical of COPD. General practitioners expressed a preference to diagnose COPD on clinical grounds. Although 58% of patients had recent spirometry for current management, only 32% were performed by their GP. There were organisational and technical barriers to spirometry and poor recognition of the essential role of spirometry in the diagnosis of COPD.DISCUSSION:
There are a number of potentially reversible factors that hinder practice recommendations regarding the use of spirometry in general practice to diagnose and manage COPD.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Espirometría
/
Actitud del Personal de Salud
/
Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica
/
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria
/
Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Aust Fam Physician
Año:
2005
Tipo del documento:
Article