Patient presents
Patients will present in a number of different ways:
- Present to a clinician with clinical features that suggest the possibility of COPD. Such features might include exertional breathlessness, chronic cough, regular sputum production, frequent winter “bronchitis” and wheeze
- Following a hospitalised exacerbation (10% of COPD admissions are from patients who are not on the COPD register in general practice)
- From another clinical pathway eg cardiac diagnostic pathway
- Case finding and review of primary care registers
How do patients feel?
Before and after diagnosis patients will experience a range of emotions. Sometimes people within the health service can become desensitised to the emotions of a person who has suspected COPD or has a COPD diagnosis. It is therefore advisable to consider what these emotions could be and what steps could be taken to reassure patients at this time. Emotions may include: shock, fear, disbelief, panic and anxiety.
What do COPD patients want?
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To have the best possible care
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To have the correct diagnosis
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To feel better
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To have a confirmed diagnosis in a timely manner
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To have good quality information at the point of diagnosis
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To understand what is wrong and why they are feeling the way they are
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To have the necessary tests and investigations for a quality diagnosis
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To have tests and investigations done correctly
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Qualified people to undertake assessments, tests, investigations and diagnoses
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Care providers to act as one team.
Return to the suspected COPD diagnosis page