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CHESTLearning & EventsBridging SpecialtiesTimely Diagnosis and Treatment for COPD
Bridging Specialties on a tablet and laptop

Bridging Specialties®: Timely Diagnosis and Treatment for COPD

Research shows that the opportunity to diagnose COPD at an earlier stage is missed in about two-thirds of patients with COPD. That’s a problem, since delayed diagnosis is linked to a higher rate of exacerbations, more comorbidities, and increased costs compared with an early diagnosis.

Our expert-based clinical resources for pulmonologists, primary care physicians, and advanced practice providers are aimed at improving the time to diagnosis and treatment for COPD.

Self-paced online learning

Screenshots of the Bridging Specialties for COPD modules on a computer and tablet
FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

Early detection for COPD

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first line of COPD identification. In this interactive e-learning module geared toward PCPs, you’ll improve your recognition and awareness of COPD signs and symptoms, diagnostic and staging tests, and optimal treatment strategies—all with the end goal of improving the time to diagnosis for your patients.

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FOR PULMONOLOGISTS

Decision-making tool

Meet Kenji, Carlos, and Margaret—three patients presenting with differing signs and symptoms that could be indicative of COPD. In these interactive scenarios for pulmonologists, you’ll conduct a simulated visit with each patient and choose which actions to take, including completing a physical exam, ordering testing, making a referral, or providing treatment.

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CME/CE CREDIT OPPORTUNITY | By engaging with the content in this toolkit, you can claim up to 2.0 hours of CME/MOC/CE credit.

INTERACTIVE INFOGRAPHIC

This activity provides bite-sized information on COPD diagnosis, staging, and more for busy family practice and primary care clinicians.

VIEW THE INFOGRAPHIC
CLAIM CME »

Podcasts

Addressing gaps in COPD management

A survey of primary care and pulmonary clinicians found patterns of fragmented care among both specialties. In this podcast, Megan Conroy, MD, MEd, FCCP, and Nathan Falk, MD, MBA, CPE, CAQSM, FAAFP, dive into the findings of the survey and explain how CHEST’s COPD Clinician Toolkit can help clinicians address these gaps.

LISTEN NOW »

Partnership between primary care and pulmonary providers

Primary care providers can play a pivotal role in a patient’s COPD diagnosis by looking out for signs and symptoms and referring patients to pulmonologists when appropriate. In this podcast, Megan Conroy, MD, MEd, FCCP, and Nathan Falk, MD, MBA, CPE, CAQSM, FAAFP, provide pulmonary and primary care perspectives on diagnostic strategies for COPD.

LISTEN NOW »

From symptom recognition to treatment strategies

Farrukh Abbas, MD, FCCP, and Megan Conroy, MD, MEd, FCCP, discuss the role of the care team in COPD diagnosis, recent changes in classifications and updates to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines, how triple-inhaler therapies and biologics can be used to treat patients with COPD, and more.

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CHEST Clinical Perspectives® white paper

Read the results of a clinical survey among pulmonologists and primary care physicians that assessed factors driving delays in diagnosis and optimal management of COPD.

READ THE WHITE PAPER »

Screenshots of the Bridging Specialties for COPD resources

Downloadable clinical resources

CHECKLIST AND MANAGEMENT GUIDE

This handy guide outlines classic COPD symptoms to look for, diagnostic tests to order, and information on COPD stages. It also includes of steps that PCPs should take and criteria for referring to a pulmonologist. The checklist is available as a 8.5” x 11” reference sheet and as a larger poster size for displaying in a clinic setting.

DOWNLOAD COPD CHECKLIST » | DOWNLOAD COPD POSTER »

PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE

This downloadable and printable COPD-specific questionnaire will help you gather a detailed history about your patients, including their family history, occupational and environmental exposures, and known comorbidities.

Download ENGLISH QUESTIONNAIRE » | CUESTIONARIO EN ESPAÑOL »

LEARNING MATERIALS FOR PATIENTS

Help your patients better understand their disease with our expert-created resources, including instructions on how to use their devices, an interactive infographic covering all aspects of COPD, and a quiz busting common COPD myths.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INHALER DEVICES » | INSTRUCCIONES DE DISPOSITIVOS INHALADORES »

TRUE/FALSE QUIZ » | CUESTIONARIO DE VERDADERO/FALSO »

INTERACTIVE INFOGRAPHIC » | INFOGRAFÍA INTERACTIVA »

Support initiatives like this | Through our philanthropic efforts, CHEST funds programs that help patients access the care they need. MAKE A GIFT TODAY »

STEERING COMMITTEE

Megan Conroy, MD, MEd, FCCP

Megan Conroy, MD, MEd, FCCP, Chair

Assistant Professor, Clinical Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
The Ohio State University

Nate Falk, MD, MBA, CPE, CAQSM, FAAFP

Nate Falk, MD, MBA, CPE, CAQSM, FAAFP

Assistant Dean, Graduate Medical Education
Professor, Family Medicine and Rural Health
Florida State University College of Medicine

MeiLan K. Han, MD, MS

MeiLan K. Han, MD, MS

Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care
University of Michigan Health

Farrukh Abbas, MD, FCCP

Farrukh Abbas, MD, FCCP

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

CHEST gratefully acknowledges the following supporters of Bridging Specialties: Timely Diagnosis and Treatment for COPD.
Supported by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sanofi