Why you should read this article:

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To be aware that acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a significant public health challenge worldwide

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To read about a quality improvement project in general practice that aimed to support self-management for people experiencing acute exacerbations of severe COPD

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To recognise the important role of practice nurses in leading the delivery of self-management education to patients with chronic conditions

Self-management of chronic conditions is not a new concept, but it is often underused in primary care. This article describes the development, implementation and outcomes of a quality improvement project in an English general practice that aimed to ensure 100% of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had a personalised self-management care plan in place within a six-month period between January 2020 and July 2020. The intention was to standardise COPD care among healthcare professionals and empower patients to recognise symptom changes faster to reduce acute exacerbations of COPD, hopefully leading to a reduction in hospital admissions. An evidence-based self-management template was designed and embedded into routine care for all patients with COPD. Project delivery involved the use of telephone and remote consultations. The project achieved its aim, with general practice nurses having a crucial role in its success.