Assessing COPD care quality in a rural Ontario primary care clinic: A retrospective chart review
Abstract
Background: Primary chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care may be worse in rural versus more urban environments.
Purpose: To evaluate the quality of COPD care in a rural Ontario primary care clinic.
Methods: A 12-month retrospective chart review study was conducted between June 2022 and January 2023 at a Goderich, Ontario primary care clinic. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were randomly selected for inclusion. Baseline sociodemographic (e.g., occupation) and health (e.g., smoking status) characteristics were extracted as well as information regarding COPD care received (i.e., Health Quality Ontario [HQO] Quality Standard [QS] indicators; n=33. The primary study outcome was overall proportion of HQO QS indicators met.
Results: Eighty primary care EMRs were accessed (72.3±9.74 years; 39% female). Overall, HQO QS indicators were met 43.2% of the time.
Conclusion: Strengths and opportunities regarding the quality of COPD care delivered in a rural Ontario primary care setting were identified.