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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Primary care physician perceptions on the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in diverse regions of the world
International Journal of COPD, Volume 7, Year 2012
Notification
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Description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multicomponent disorder that leads to substantial disability, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Although the majority of COPD patients are first diagnosed and treated in primary care practices, there is comparatively little information on the management of COPD patients in primary care. A web-based pilot survey was conducted to evaluate the primary care physician's, or general practitioner's (GP's), knowledge, understanding, and management of COPD in twelve territories across the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, eastern Europe, and Latin America, using a 10-minute questionnaire comprising 20 questions and translated into the native language of each participating territory. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 600 GPs (50 from each territory) involved in the management of COPD patients and all data were collated and analyzed by an independent health care research consultant. This survey demonstrated that the GPs' understanding of COPD was variable across the territories, with large numbers of GPs having very limited knowledge of COPD and its management. A consistent finding across all territories was the underutilization of spirometry (median 26%; range 10%-48%) and reliance on X-rays (median 14%; range 5%-22%) for COPD diagnosis, whereas overuse of blood tests (unspecified) was particularly high in Russia and South Africa. Similarly, there was considerable underrecognition of the importance of exacerbation history as an important factor of COPD and its initial management in most territories (median 4%; range 0%-22%). Management of COPD was well below guideline-recommended levels in most of the regions investigated. The findings of this survey suggest there is a need for more ongoing education and information, specifically directed towards GPs outside of Europe and North America, and that global COPD guidelines appear to have limited reach and application in most of the areas studied. © 2012 Aisanov et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Aisanov, Z. R.
Russian Federation, Moscow
Pulmonology Research Institute
Bai, Chunxue
China, Shanghai
Fudan University
Bauerle, Otto
Mexico, Merida
Centro Medico de Las Americas
Colodenco, Federico D.
Argentina, Buenos Aires
Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria María Ferrer
Feldman, Charles
South Africa, Johannesburg
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences
Hashimoto, Shu
Japan, Tokyo
Nihon University School of Medicine
Jardim, Jose
Brazil, Sao Paulo
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Lai, Christopher K.W.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Laniado-Laborín, Rafael
Mexico, Mexicali
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Nadeau, Gilbert
United Kingdom, Brentford
Glaxosmithkline Plc.
Sayiner, Abdullah
Turkey, Izmir
Ege University Medical School
Shim, Jae Jeong
South Korea, Seoul
Korea University Guro Hospital
Tsai, Yiang Huang
Taiwan, Taipei
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Walters, Richard D.
United Kingdom, Brentford
Glaxosmithkline Plc.
Waterer, Grant W.
Australia, Perth
University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology
Statistics
Citations: 49
Authors: 15
Affiliations: 15
Identifiers
Doi:
10.2147/COPD.S28059
ISSN:
11769106
e-ISSN:
11782005
Research Areas
Disability
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa