How can a disease have epidemic proportions, and yet only half of the patients with the disease know they have it? COPD impacts 30 million Americans, but half of cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. One in eight adults over the age of 45 has COPD and these patients are seen every day in the ER, in neurology clinics, during orthopedic visits, for gynecology care, and by primary care providers. PAs are well positioned to identify patients with COPD and impact the health and quality of the lives of millions.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:
Evaluate the risk factors for chronic lung disease even if the patient does not have a history of smoking
Analyze how shortness of breath, fatigue, and chronic cough impact a patient's overall health status
Apply the case studies to your own practice
Describe scenarios that involve one of the hidden diagnoses
Interpret symptoms of fatigue, lack of endurance, and shortness of breath to provide a diagnosis that goes beyond congestive heart failure
