A checklist-based method for improving COPD care for the elderly in general practice: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial using electronic health records

BACKGROUND: The third most frequent chronic condition, and the fourth most common cause of death, in Poland is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The diagnosis and treatment of COPD is the responsibility of the general practitioner (GP); the GP also serves as gatekeeper, referring patients to the other levels of public health care system when necessary. Undertreatment of COPD can result in a greater frequency of exacerbations and hospitalizations. Elderly patients require special attention due to the increased prevalence of COPD and systemic comorbidities. However, both the occurrence of exacerbations and the quality of life of the patients may be improved by developing and implementing guidelines for practice and ensuring their adherence. This proposal concerns the development of a checklist-based educational program to assist general practitioners in managing COPD patients. METHODS: No less than eighty-four general clinics in the Lodz region, Poland (28 clusters in each of three study arms), will be identified, randomized, and included in the trial. The trial will be based on anonymized data in electronic health records within the national public health care system. The educational intervention program will consist of GPs in two intervention arms being provided with a COPD management checklist: those in the first intervention arm with receive the checklist once at the beginning, while those in the second with receive it twice. The third (control) arm receives standard care without the checklist. The study used the International Code of Diseases (ICD)-10 for COPD. The primary aim is to determine the effect of interventions delivered to general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care. These interventions are aimed at decreasing the hospitalization of elderly patients with medical code J-44 (COPD) as the main reason for hospital admission. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial will be directly applicable to primary care in Poland and add new data to the growing body of evidence regarding interventions aimed at improving chronic illness care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered with the Clinical Trials Protocol Registration System. Please see in ClinicalTrial.gov identifier (NCT Number): NCT04301505. Registered on 10 March 2020. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05103-0.