Pathophysiology and progression of COPD

What you'll learn

• Understand the pathology, spectrum, and disease mechanisms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Recognise the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and overall burden of COPD on individuals and healthcare systems.
• Identify the major causes and risk factors for COPD, including smoking and environmental exposures, and understand strategies to minimise disease progression.
• Recognise the common signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of COPD, including the role of spirometry and other initial investigations.
• Develop awareness of personalised COPD self-management plans and approaches to improving disease control.
• Understand the importance of smoking cessation support, physical activity, nutrition, vaccinations, and inhaler adherence in COPD management.
• Understand how COPD progresses over time and recognise factors associated with exacerbations and poor disease control.
• Gain knowledge of treatment escalation, management of exacerbations, oxygen therapy principles, and referral pathways for additional therapies such as pulmonary rehabilitation.