The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 36 No. 1 - Psychiatry Updates

COPD MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE: NWHAT ARE THE ISSUES AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL CARE?

Chang Ngai Kin Christopher,
Hii Khing Jim,
Chan Hian Hui Vincent,
Ng Chung Wai
Tan Ngiap Chua
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 36 No 1 - Psychiatry Updates
44 - 47
1 March 2010
0377-5305
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, a chronic inflammatory airway disease, is one of the top 10 causes of mortality and reason for hospitalisation in Singapore. Apart from asthma, COPD is the second most common chronic respiratory disease being managed in primary care and is set to increase in prevalence due to the aging population in the local community. The Ministry of Health of Singapore has published clinical practice guidelines in 2006 to support respiratory and family physicians in providing optimal care for this group of patients based on clinical evidences. With growing amount of data and literature from research carried out globally, we examined the issues and use of evidence-based practice in managing three COPD patients with varying needs, in a local primary care centre.