Scientific research COPDnet model

About the COPDnet model

We have designed an innovative care model for people suffering from a chronic respiratory disorder such as asthma or COPD, who require an integrated diagnostic process.

What does the COPDnet model look like?

The COPDnet model consists of an integrated diagnostic process for secondary care. Depending on the complexity of a case, intervention can then be offered with primary, secondary or tertiary care.

The COPDnet model was created for patients who have been referred to secondary care for medical specialist care and is based on a stepped care model. Patients with a moderate or severe disease burden, who have insufficient success in improving their situation with primary care, are eligible for referral. After referral by the family doctor, patients will follow a relatively short, standardized stepped diagnostic process with secondary care, aimed at analysis of the patient's integrated health status and initiating self-management.

Individual care plan

This process involves drawing up an individual care plan in close consultation with the care givers (lung specialist and specialized lung nurse) and the patient. The starting point is empowerment for self-management. Depending on the complexity of the support required in an individual case, the plan may be implemented within primary care, secondary care or a referral will be made to a tertiary-carespecialized lung convalescence program. However, in most cases, the patient will be referred back to primary care. Allied healthcare professional may be involved in the implementation of the individual care plan. If the care is transferred back to primary care, the family doctor and nurse practitioner will be responsible for monitoring progress. A state-of-the-art, modular intervention program for non-pharmacological treatment was developed for allied healthcare professionals working within primary care. The model encompasses systematic recording of the results achieved at several moments and for different aspects of the patient's health status, using both process and outcome indicators. Among other things, this recording is used as part of a quality management system to provide feedback to care givers about the outcome of the care. The objective is to obtain a learning organization form.

Care close to home

The starting point of the COPDnet model is that care should be given as close to the patient's home and living environment as possible. It is of vital importance that the various care givers in the different care echelons (primary, secondary and tertiary) have laid down sound regional collaboration agreements. This includes agreements about referral criteria and back referral criteria, but also about exacerbation management and palliative care.

Why the COPDnet model?

Why the COPDnet model?

The care for people with COPD should be and can be improved. Within this context, it is important to tailor the care to the individual patient. It is also important to organize the care optimally. Different care givers contribute to the care for patients with a chronic respiratory disorder, e.g. the family doctor, nurse practitioner, lung specialist, specialist nurse and various paramedics. This means that the care must be fine-tuned, which sets high requirements with regard to communication and clarity for the patient.

COPDnet model

Application of the COPDnet model should lead to more effective, transparent care and contribute to the efficient use of care. By continuing to develop the COPDnet model, the Pulmonary Diseases Department takes on its academic responsibilities for people with a chronic respiratory disorder, such as asthma or COPD.
 

COPDnet model research

We are currently researching providing care as per the COPDnet model. We are assessing the feasibility of working according to the model in two hospitals and affiliated regions, i.e. Bernhoven and Radboud university medical center. In addition, we are researching what this form of care means for patient health status, using patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs). We expect to have the results available in the course of 2019.