Do adequate access to Certified Respiratory Educators with spirometry in family physician offices create reduction in health care expenditures?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently under-diagnosed until it becomes severe. Studies show that the failure of diagnosis can severely hamper or postpone effective treatment of COPD. Early detention also plays an important role in the treatment of asthma. The Lung Association of Saskatchewan aims to improve the timely diagnosis of asthma and COPD by providing access to effective, high-quality asthma and COPD education for people with these conditions, educating family physicians about asthma and COPD management, and increasing access to spirometry in family physician offices. For this purpose, the Association has implemented an intervention by placing Certified Respiratory Educators (CRE) with spirometry in family physician offices in Regina and Prince Albert. This proposed project will examine whether placing Certified Respiratory Educators (CRE) with spirometry in family physician offices reduces overall healthcare expenditures for COPD and asthma patients. It will also evaluate if the reduction in healthcare expenditures is substantial enough to provide wider access to CREs and spirometry in family physician offices in Saskatchewan.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Nazmi sari

Student:

Meric Osman

Partner:

Lung Association of Saskatchewan

Discipline:

Economics

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of Saskatchewan