Abstract
Aims
To assess the range of activities performed by practice nurses in COPD management and their training for these tasks.
Methods
A postal questionnaire was sent to the nurse with prime responsibility for respiratory care in 179 practices in Cornwall and Southwest Devon.
Results
The response rate was 64%. Spirometers were available in 64% of practices (range 0-6 per practice). Of these, spirometry was performed by nurses alone in 72%; in 44% spirometry was performed less than once a week. Spirometry was used for diagnosis in 91%; monitoring in 87% and screening asymptomatic smokers in 45%. Reversibility testing was performed by 61% of the practices. Formal training in spirometry had been undertaken by 52%, informal training in 41% and none in 7%. They would like to see the development of one-stop COPD clinics, support from specialist nurses and pulmonary rehabilitation, preferably based in the community.
Conclusion
Nurses face many problems managing COPD in general practice including equipment, training and professional support.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jones, R., Freegard, S., Reeves, M. et al. The role of the practice nurse in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prim Care Respir J 10, 106–108 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2001.40
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2001.40
This article is cited by
-
Accuracy of diagnostic registers and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the Devon primary care audit
Respiratory Research (2008)
-
Spirometrie in de Nederlandse huisartsenpraktijk
Huisarts en Wetenschap (2008)