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- Title
Management of chronic breathlessness in primary care: what do GPs, non-GP specialists, and allied health professionals think?
- Authors
Sunjaya, Anthony; Martin, Allison; Arnott, Clare; Jenkins, Christine
- Abstract
Background: To explore the perspectives of GPs, non-GP specialists, and allied health professionals on the role of primary care in diagnosing and managing chronic breathlessness, the barriers faced, and the resources needed to optimise care of patients with chronic breathlessness. Methods: This was a qualitative study involving focus group discussions that included 35 GPs, non-GP specialists, and allied health professionals. Topics explored included: (1) views on the role of primary care in diagnosing and managing chronic breathlessness; (2) barriers to optimal assessment in primary care; and (3) facilitators to further optimise the care of patients with chronic breathlessness. Results: All participants considered that primary care has a central role to play in the assessment and management of chronic breathlessness, but greater access to referral services, suitable funding structures, and upskilling on the use of diagnostic tests such as spirometry and electrocardiography are required for this to be realised. Both GPs and non-GP specialists described great potential for developing better linkages, including new ways of referral and online consultations, greater ease of referral to allied health services, even if conducted virtually, for patients with functional causes of breathlessness. Participants identified a need to develop integrated breathlessness clinics for patients referred by GPs, which would ensure patients receive optimal care in the shortest possible time frame. Conclusions: GPs are crucial to achieving optimal care for breathless patients, especially given the multifactorial and multimorbid nature of breathlessness; however, there are significant gaps in services and resources at present that limit their ability to perform this role. Breathlessness is a common symptom in about one in 10 adults. This qualitative study that included 35 GPs, multidisciplinary specialists, and allied health professionals aims to understand the role of primary care in management of chronic breathlessness. GPs are crucial to achieving optimal care for breathless patients, especially given the multifactorial and multimorbid nature of breathlessness; however, the study presented significant gaps in services and resources at present, which limit their ability to perform this role.
- Subjects
PREVENTION of chronic diseases; DIAGNOSIS of dyspnea; CHRONIC disease diagnosis; GENERAL practitioners; OCCUPATIONAL roles; MEDICAL consultation; THERAPEUTICS; HEALTH services accessibility; FOCUS groups; DISCUSSION; ATTITUDES of medical personnel; ATTITUDE (Psychology); PHYSICIANS' attitudes; PATIENT-centered care; PRIMARY health care; DYSPNEA; QUALITATIVE research; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; HEALTH care teams; MEDICAL referrals; ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY; PHYSICIANS; SPIROMETRY; INTEGRATED health care delivery; STATISTICAL sampling; THEMATIC analysis; ALLIED health personnel; DISEASE management; HEALTH care rationing; TELEMEDICINE; COMORBIDITY
- Publication
Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2023, Vol 29, Issue 4, p375
- ISSN
1448-7527
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/PY22018