• Jörgen Thorn, Maria Norrhall, Ronny Larsson, Dan Curiac, Gösta Axelsson, Carina Ammon, Jörgen Månsson, Jonas Brisman, Anna-Lena Söderström, and Cecilia Björkelund.
• Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden. jorgen.thorn@allmed.gu.se
• Prim Care Respir J. 2008 Mar 1; 17 (1): 26-31.

AimTo assess the primary care management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to COPD guidelines.MethodA postal questionnaire was sent out to all Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) in western Sweden (n=232). The response rate was 75%.ResultsA majority of the PHCCs had a nurse and physician responsible for COPD care. They used spirometry equipment regularly, but only 50% reported that they calibrated it at least weekly. Less than 30% of the PHCCs reported access to a dietician, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. There was a structured smoking cessation program in 50% of the PHCCs. Larger PHCCs were more likely to use spirometry equipment regularly and to have specific personnel for COPD care.ConclusionThere is a need to establish structured programs for COPD care including smoking cessation programs for COPD patients with special trained staff. Larger PHCCs have a better infrastructure for providing guideline-defined COPD care.

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