GPs Show Improved Confidence In Managing COPD Patients, UK

Over 75% of GPs are more confident in managing COPD now than they were two years ago, potentially due to NICE guidelines and the QOF. However, disappointingly 40% only feel they can stabilise rather than improve the health of their patient, according to a survey of 400 GPs throughout the UK.(1)



The research commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline and conducted by GfK HealthCare, also showed that over two-fifths (44%) of GPs would be most motivated to take an increased interest in the management of COPD if they could reduce exacerbations. (1,2) Nearly a third (32%) said an evidence base for improving patient survival would be the key motivator for them to get more involved in the management of the disease. (1)



Surprisingly, only 9% of GPs surveyed flagged an increased allocation of points for COPD in the QOF as the most motivating reason to take a greater interest in the disease.(1) These findings come on the eve of Europe's largest respiratory gathering - the annual meeting of the European Respiratory Society in Munich.



"It's great that GPs are growing in confidence and the recent announcement of the NSF for COPD will undoubtedly help create further interest in the disease", commented David Price, Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, University of Aberdeen. "The next step is for primary care to raise its treatment expectations as there is growing evidence to show that we can really improve the quality of our patients' lives."



The rate of mortality due to respiratory disease in the UK is almost double the EU average with COPD currently ranked the country's fourth biggest killer disease, claiming approximately 24,500 lives annually. (3) In 2003, there were over 106,000 emergency hospital admissions for COPD which cost the NHS approximately ???253m. (4)



Professor Price continued: "With the roll-out of practice-based commissioning, primary care is set to play an increased part in the management of COPD and it is vital for GPs to recognise and embrace this challenge. Hopefully studies such as TORCH, the first trial to look at improving survival in COPD, will help motivate GPs to take a greater interest in the management of this killer disease."



The survey of 400 GPs around the UK was conducted by GfK HealthCare and found that: (1)



- 79% felt more confident in managing COPD than they were two years ago.



- 75% agreed that NICE guidelines have helped provide clear guidance on managing patients.



- 72% flagged the inclusion of COPD in the Quality Outcomes Framework as having increased their focus on the disease.



- 55% generally felt they could improve or significantly improve their COPD patients' health, but 40% felt they could only stabilise health status.



- 44% highlighted the opportunity to reduce the number of exacerbations as their key motivator to take a greater interest in management of the disease.



- 32% cited an evidence base for improving survival as the most motivating factor to increase their interest in the management of COPD.



In March 2006, the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt published new figures from the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement to illustrate how the NHS could improve services, reduce unnecessary emergency admissions and improve value for money. COPD was listed as the number one 'ambulatory care sensitive' condition.



In his 2004 annual report, On the State of the Public Health (published 19 July 2005), The Chief Medical Officer emphasised the burden of COPD and called for a National Service Framework for COPD.



GfK HealthCare in London is a division of GfK NOP Ltd that brings together the Healthcare division of the former Martin Hamblin and the former NOP World Health Europe.







1. Survey of 400 GPs conducted by GfK HealthCare, GP Net - August 2006



2. Each respondent was shown 4 statements and asked to rank them in order of motivation (most to least). This statement was ranked most motivating (in 1st position) by the largest proportion of GPs (44%). GP Net - August 2006



3. Data obtained and extrapolated from the Office for National Statistics on mortality 2004



4. Improve healthcare by reducing unnecessary emergency admissions - Hewitt. Department of Health press release published: Monday 20 March 2006, reference number: 2006/0104



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