In this episode of Inside Family Medicine we hear from Dr. Barbara Yawn, a family physician and clinical researcher and former Chief Science Officer at the COPD Foundation, about recognizing and managing COPD exacerbations in primary care. Dr. Yawn explains why COPD is often missed due to gradual symptom onset and patients minimizing symptoms, and stresses asking targeted questions about dyspnea, activity tolerance, chronic cough, sputum changes, and frequent colds. She reviews recognizing exacerbations, instructions to call the office, outpatient treatment with short courses of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics, and considering alternative diagnoses such as heart failure, pulmonary embolus, and pneumonia.

Topics by Timestamp

01:16 Why Family Medicine

02:20 Spotting Early COPD Signs

04:42 Asking Better Questions

06:44 Guidelines and Acute Exacerbations

09:07 Post Exacerbation Follow Up

10:20 When to Consult Pulmonology

12:40 Preventing Future Exacerbations

15:06 Shared Decision-Making SHARE

18:14 Advanced and Newer Therapies

22:40 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up

Additional Resources

COPD Clinical Guidance | AAFP

COPD | Family Doctor

CME Activities:

• ABFM Board Review Self-Study - CME 2025 | AAFP

• Care of Chronic Conditions CME | AAFP

• Adult Medicine 11th Edition – Online CME | AAFP

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