Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and our work to support quality improvement and better care for patients
Learn about COPD, its impact and how the Commission is supporting better care through evidence-based standards, reporting and quality improvement initiatives.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It affects one in 13 Australians over 40, yet only half of those living with the condition have been diagnosed. Early and accurate diagnosis in people at risk of COPD and proactive management can improve symptoms and quality of life, and prevent serious complications.
To support best-practice care, the Commission is leading critical work by providing guidance and data to inform improvements in care.
COPD Clinical Care Standard (CCS)
The COPD Clinical Care Standard includes 10 quality statements that describe the quality of care that people with COPD can expect to receive or be offered. It outlines high-quality, evidence-based care across the patient journey and empowers consumers to make informed decisions.
Download the COPD Clinical Care Standard and access supporting resources
MedicineInsight Practice Report: COPD
MedicineInsight is a primary care quality improvement program providing data insights to participating GPs on their own prescribing and patient care patterns.
Through individual practice reports, the program allows GPs to reflect on and review their practice results, as well as the aggregate of all participating MedicineInsight practices.
Participating practices are offered COPD-focused quality improvement activities for alignment with best practice and identify key areas for improvement to benefit patients. This can contribute to RACGP CPD mandatory requirements for participating GPs.
The MedicineInsight GP Snapshot: COPD was published in December 2024, with a complete MedicineInsightPractice Report: COPD to be released later this year.
Learn more about MedicineInsight and how to participate
Atlas Focus Report: COPD
The Atlas Focus Report: COPD provides national data on Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) spirometry services and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines dispensed to people with COPD, according to where patients live. This report will show national trends and variation in care between geographical areas and discuss the possible reasons for unwarranted clinical variation.
The Commission will publish the Atlas Focus Report: COPD in 2025. Sign up to our COPD subscriber list to receive more information.
Practice Reflections: COPD
Practice Reflections delivers individualised feedback directly to general practitioners (GPs) across Australia. This report gives insights into spirometry referrals and information on best practices in use of spirometry for COPD.
Practice Reflections: COPD will be sent directly to GPs in Australia towards the end of 2025.