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COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

COPD, according to 2015 data from the World Health Organization (WHO), is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. In US, more than 16 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, although more than half are not diagnosed. That is why it is said to be a very frequent disease, but unknown. In this article, we explain the causes of COPD, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way healthcare professionals work within the primary care setting. The advent of Covid-19 meant that we all had to rapidly modify the way we supported and met the needs of patients, some of whom saw the services they usually took for granted, virtually cease overnight. There are around 15 million people in England living with long-term health conditions including asthma. These people have the greatest healthcare needs of the whole population with 50 per cent of all GP appointments and 70 per cent of all bed days taken by this cohort of patients, and their treatment and care absorbing 70 per cent of acute and primary care budgets in England. This situation isn't going to improve any time soon. In the past, most people had a single condition, today multi-morbidity is becoming the norm. At the start of the pandemic, the Royal College of General Practice and British Medical Association issued guidance to practices on prioritising workload. This included the importance of maintaining long-term condition reviews in asthma, COPD and diabetes, along with appropriate transition of at-risk warfarin patients. These reviews were deemed as essential workstreams for patients considered to be at high risk. Traditionally, the unique skills set of a pharmacist has meant that we have played a major role in supporting these patients. I work with a team of over 90 clinical pharmacists who, in partnership with individual practices, PCNs, CCGs and STPs, help with the long-term management of people with chronic conditions. But the onset of Covid-19 meant that we now had to plug a potential gap in service provision, and quickly.