PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S.L. Walker
AU  - M.S. Balter
AU  - J. Bourbeau
AU  - C.K. Chan
AU  - P. Hernandez
AU  - D.D. Marciniuk
TI  - Respirologists' perception versus patient reality: A Canadian perspective on COPD
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p4999
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4999.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4999.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - COPD is under diagnosed and undertreated. Physicians and patients may have significantly different perceptions of disease severity, educational needs and treatment options.Purpose: To identify areas of COPD care that could be improved, a practice review was completed.Method: 58 respirologists from across Canada participated from June to October 2010; each completed a practice profile and patient assessments (n=931) during COPD patient visits. Patients also completed a questionnaire (n=640). Similar questions were asked of both groups to determine if perceptual differences existed. Data was evaluated for important comparisons of patient and physician demographics and practice characteristics.Results: Physicians and patients both recognized that symptoms are bothersome throughout the day, but morning was reported as the most troublesome time, 33% versus 18% for afternoon or evening. Perceptual differences were identified including treatment compliance and educational needs. 88% of patients felt they never or rarely miss taking their COPD medication while 80% of physicians perceived that patients missed their medication several times per week/month. For education and resources, patients emphasized disease understanding and progression, while physicians prioritized symptom management and smoking cessation. Only 51% of patients were taught to recognize signs of exacerbation by their physicians yet 78% of patients identified the physician as their greatest source of information.Conclusions: Patients and physicians provided different insight about COPD. Identifying these differences may allow for improved patient assessment, education and management leading to improved communication and outcomes.