Impact of a patient-specific co-designed COPD care scorecard on COPD care quality: a quasi-experimental study

Giving patients with chronic lung disease personalized information that highlights gaps in their treatment can improve their care. Management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often falls short of recommended evidence-based guidelines. Led by Christopher Roberts from the Queen Mary University of London, the researchers completed scorecards with 640 patients, matching their care against evidence-based guidelines. Patients were encouraged to use their scorecard during their GP visits to negotiate better care with their healthcare team. Results showed patients using the scorecards were more likely than other patients to be referred to pulmonary rehabilitation and to have evidence-based tests to confirm their diagnosis. Giving patients personalized information about their quality of care is a positive factor in developing mutually beneficial partnerships between patients and their healthcare providers, the authors concluded.