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Effect of health professional education on outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care: A non randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Monteagudo Mònica,
RodriguezBlanco Teresa,
Llagostera Maria,
Valero Carles,
Bayona Xavier,
Granollers Sílvia,
Ferro Juan J.,
Acedo Mateo,
Almeda Jesús,
RodriguezLatre Lluisa,
Muñoz Laura,
Miravitlles Marc
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.12074
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonary disease , randomized controlled trial , primary care , physical therapy , family medicine , disease , intensive care medicine , copd
Background and objective The best strategy to achieve optimal integrated management to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) in primary care ( PC ) is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention in PC based on an integrated programme, which combines diverse strategies directed at health professionals to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes of their patients with COPD . We compared the outcome with results from standard practice. Methods A prospective, multicentre, quasi‐experimental study and a 12‐month follow up was performed. Intervention consisted of an integrated education programme in PC . The main outcome variable was the change in total score of the S t. G eorge's R espiratory Q uestionnaire ( SGRQ ) at the end of follow up between the control and intervention group. Results A total of 801 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 70.2 years and a mean FEV 1 (% predicted) of 55%. At 1‐year follow up, the SGRQ score did not significantly differ. Although the intervention group showed an improvement in dietary, exercise and smoking habits, there was an increase in reported exacerbations and hospital admissions ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Implementation of an integrated education programme in a PC setting, which combines diverse strategies directed at health professionals, did not achieve the expected changes in quality of life measured by SGRQ at 1‐year follow up. Nonetheless, this study observed an improvement in patients’ lifestyle choices, even though this did not result in a significant change in the clinical evolution or heath status over 12 months.