IFM | Recognizing and Managing COPD Exacerbations in Primary Care: A Conversation with Dr. Barbara Yawn
Inside Family Medicine · American Academy of Family Physicians
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Show Notes
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine we hear from Dr. Barbara Yawn, a family physician and clinical researcher and former Chief Science Officer at the COPD Foundation, about recognizing and managing COPD exacerbations in primary care. Dr. Yawn explains why COPD is often missed due to gradual symptom onset and patients minimizing symptoms, and stresses asking targeted questions about dyspnea, activity tolerance, chronic cough, sputum changes, and frequent colds. She reviews recognizing exacerbations, instructions to call the office, outpatient treatment with short courses of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics, and considering alternative diagnoses such as heart failure, pulmonary embolus, and pneumonia.
Topics by Timestamp
01:16 Why Family Medicine
02:20 Spotting Early COPD Signs
04:42 Asking Better Questions
06:44 Guidelines and Acute Exacerbations
09:07 Post Exacerbation Follow Up
10:20 When to Consult Pulmonology
12:40 Preventing Future Exacerbations
15:06 Shared Decision-Making SHARE
18:14 Advanced and Newer Therapies
22:40 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up
Additional Resources
CME Activities:
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