Lung Foundation Australia is pleased to launch the 2020 edition of the COPD-X Concise Guide, a game-changing clinical resource providing practical, evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Over the last 12 months, the Guide has been extensively reviewed by a committee of experienced respiratory clinicians and primary care experts under the leadership of respiratory physicians, Professor Ian Yang and Dr Eli Dabscheck.
Endorsed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the COPD-X Concise Guide has extended its focus to include all healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of COPD. The redesigned format provides a summary of the latest evidence and clinical practice tips which link directly to The COPD-X Plan.
Despite being the fifth leading cause of death in Australia, COPD – an umbrella term for a group of progressive lung conditions including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma – is usually not diagnosed until it is moderately advanced and begins to impair quality of life[i].
“We know that as with many lung conditions, early diagnosis is critical to improving treatment options and outcomes for patients,” Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said.
“Winter in particular can be a dangerous time for people living with COPD as they are more likely to experience an exacerbation causing further damage to the lungs. The COPD-X Concise Guide is a vital reference for healthcare professionals, ensuring they have easy-access to the latest information and guides to optimise the health and wellbeing of their patients with COPD. We are proud to launch this resource at such a critical time of year when it can be used to reduce the need for emergency medical intervention.”
Research shows 1 in 7 Australians over 40 has COPD, however around half of these people living with symptoms don’t know they have the condition[i]. Professor Ian Yang says due to sub-optimal access to spirometry in primary care settings and the often-silent nature of the disease in its early stages, COPD is under-recognised by healthcare professionals and under reported by patients.
“With an aging Australian population, it’s more important than ever that our health professional workforce continually enhance their knowledge and skills to manage an ever-increasing number of chronic diseases, including COPD. General practitioners and clinicians play a vital role in the early diagnosis and appropriate management of COPD to ensure patients have the best quality of life possible,” Prof Yang said.
“The COPD-X Concise Guide translates the extensive evidence on the diagnosis and management of COPD from the comprehensive COPD-X Plan guidelines into clinical practice. The evidence is presented in a compact and easily digestible format and includes recommendations and practice tips which is important for busy clinicians,” Prof Yang said.
General practitioner Dr Kerry Hancock says for time-poor clinicians a resource such as the COPD-X Concise Guide is an invaluable tool to support the diagnosis and management of patients, particularly in non-specialist settings.
“This resource is critical to supporting healthcare professionals to upskill and ultimately, improve outcomes for Australians impacted by COPD. It ensures we have access to the most up to date evidence-based guidelines to assist us in managing our patients with, or at risk of COPD.”
To download the COPD-X Concise Guide, click here.
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For media enquiries please contact:
Paxton Roth, Media and Communications Coordinator
07 3251 3654 or 0435 447 315
paxtonr@lungfoundation.com.au
[i] Toelle B, Xuan W, Bird T, Abramson M, Atkinson D, Burton D, James A, Jenkins C, Johns D, Maguire G, Musk A, Walters E, Wood-Baker R, Hunter M, Graham B, Southwell P, Vollmer W, Buist A, Marks G. Respiratory symptoms and illness in older Australians: The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study. Med J Aust 2013;198:144-148