Introduction

The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is enormous and is increasing, but early, accurate diagnosis in a primary care setting can have a crucial impact on managing the condition. New NICE guidelines and the GMS Contract with incentives give GPs and practice nurses the opportunity to diagnose COPD patients and manage them in a structured fashion.

This book brings together clear and concise information for GPs and primary healthcare teams on how this can be achieved accurately and effectively. This book sets out a very practical approach to caring for one group who can demonstrably benefit from access to the very best that primary care can offer: patients living with COPD.

This book is for busy primary care physicians and nurses committed to improving diagnosis, enabling self-management, ensuring rapid treatment, and providing truly patient-centred care. Written by an experienced, practising general practitioner, it provides a timely contribution to the high-quality primary care services needed now and in the future.

Foreword

A - from the Foreword by Gail Richards

Anita Sharma is to be congratulated on producing a clear, concise and practical book on COPD which will educate, give confidence to, and encourage primary care physicians to manage this important disease effectively and at an early stage.

A - from the Foreword by Joyce Barclay