WHAT WE ARE DOING
WP1: Mapping current diagnostic pathway(s) for COPD
We are looking to gain a better understanding of the different ways COPD is diagnosed in adults in community/primary care and to identify barriers and facilitators in diagnostic service provision for COPD. To achieve this, we will take a mixed methods approach focused on the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals/professional stakeholders involved in COPD diagnosis. A questionnaire will first provide a snapshot of the current national picture followed by qualitative interviews to contextualise and deepen our understanding. We will use our findings to provide contextual information to guide the development and implementation of new diagnostic technologies for COPD.
WP2: Diagnostic Accuracy Clinical Study
For this study, we hope to include around 500 participants across the UK. We want to find out how accurate N-Tidal Diagnose is at diagnosing COPD compared to the usual spirometry test, as well as ask some questions about how patients and health care professionals find the experience of using the N-Tidal device and spirometry. If this study shows that N-Tidal Diagnose is sufficiently accurate to use in COPD diagnosis, patients with COPD could be diagnosed sooner and could reduce the cost to the NHS.
WP3: Health Economics of N-Tidal Diagnose
The health economic analysis will comprise research that will determine the health care resource use and costs related to the current standard diagnostic and care pathway for COPD patients. It will explore what impact of the introduction of N-tidal Diagnose has on the diagnostic and care pathways and the resultant likely impacts on health care resource use and cost. Using this information a health economic model will be developed to determine the optimal implementation strategies for N-tidal Diagnose.