Danish general practitioners’ management of patients with COPD: a nationwide survey

Figures & data

Table 1. Items in the questionnaire used to assess GPs COPD management and GPs support needs.

Items covered in each topic	Response categories
COPD management
1. ‘What proportion of your patients with diagnosed COPD have been advised about the treatment elements being pharmacological treatment, physical activity, smoking cessation, and referral to COPD rehabilitation?’	(Likert response scale) Nearly all, majority, about half, a few, almost none, don’t know
2. ‘To what extent are the following elements included in your conversation about physical activity with patients with COPD?’ (Explain benefits, define goals with the patient, plan new consultations, refer to COPD rehabilitation)	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
3. ‘To what extent are the following elements included in your conversation about smoking cessation with patients with COPD?’ (Explain benefits, define goals with the patient, plan new consultations, refer to COPD rehabilitation)	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
4. ‘From your point of view, to what extent do the patients benefit from a COPD rehabilitation program?’	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
Support needs
5. ‘In the last year, have you had the need to consult with a specialist in pulmonary medicine regarding the treatment of one or more of your patients with COPD (with the exclusion of consultations about a potential referral to outpatient or acute hospitalization)?’	(Binary response) Yes, no or don’t know
6. ‘Was it easy for you to get access to consult with a specialist in pulmonary medicine?’	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
7. ‘Do you find that you need more consultations with a specialist in pulmonary medicine than what is currently available to you?’	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
8. ‘Do you find that you need educational support in COPD management?’	(Likert response scale) Very high degree, high degree, some degree, low degree, very low degree, not at all, don’t know
Demographic characteristics
9. Sex?	Female, male
10. Age?	Select the correct number
11. For how many years have you been a GP?	Select the correct number
12. Which of the following terms fits best your practice?	Single-handed practice, cooperation practice, partnership practice
13. In which municipality is your practice located?	Select one of the 98 municipalities in Denmark

COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GP: General practitioner.

Table 2. Demographic characteristics.

	Respondents (n = 470)	GP Background population (N = 3365)
Sex
Male	49%	51%
Female	51%	49%
Age
30-39	43 (9%)	247 (7%)
40-49	195 (41%)	1315 (39%)
50-59	136 (29%)	964 (29%)
60-69	91 (19%)	776 (23%)
70-79	5 (1%)	63 (2%)
Years of experience
0-9	200 (43%)
10-19	149 (32%)
20-29	98 (21%)
30-39	21 (4%)
40-49	2 (0%)
Type of practice
Single-handed practice	100 (21%)	≈ 40%
Cooperation practice	67 (14%)	≈ 20%
Partnership practice	303 (64%)	≈ 40%
The five regions of Denmark
Central Denmark Region	135 (29%)	819 (23%)
North Denmark Region	41 (9%)	337 (10%)
Region of Southern Denmark	117 (25%)	786 (22%)
Capital Region of Denmark	123 (26%)	1062 (30%)
Region Zealand	54 (11%)	493 (14%)

Figure 1. The engagement profile concerning smoking cessation and physical activity.

Table 3. Planning future consultations for physical activity/GPs support needs (Multiple regression analysis).

	Plan consultation for physical activity	Support needs
Female	−0.061* (0.035)	0.195*** (0.048)
Single-handed practice	0.017 (0.043)	−0.077 (0.060)
Years’ Experience	0.004** (0.002)	−0.005* (0.003)
Central Denmark Region	0.040 (0.046)	0.022 (0.064)
North Denmark Region	0.037 (0.066)	−0.184** (0.092)
Region of Southern Denmark	−0.009 (0.047)	−0.082 (0.065)
Region Zealand	0.024 (0.059)	0.017 (0.082)
Define goals for physical activity		0.043 (0.030)
Plan consultation for physical activity		0.071*** (0.027)
Define goals for smoking cessation		−0.023 (0.030)
Plan consultation for smoking cessation		−0.025 (0.027)
Constant	0.109** (0.049)	0.322** (0.133)
Observations	466	434
R2	0.026	0.103
Adjusted R2	0.011	0.080
Residual Std. Error	0.360 (df = 458)	0.480 (df = 422)
F Statistic	1.757* (df = 7;458)	4.422* (df = 11;422)

Note: *p < 0.1;**p < 0.05;***p < 0.01.

All the independent variables (besides ‘Years’ Experience’) are dummy variables in the regression analysis.

Figure 2. GPs support needs.