08 • Careers


BREA


EASI R


Respiratory disease costs the NHS billions of pounds a year and kills one in five people in the UK. What better time for GPs to take an interest in this area?


ESPIRATORY conditions account for more than 24 million GP consultations a year and are one of the UK’s biggest causes of mortality. From asthma and pneumonia to tuberculosis and chronic obstructive


pulmonary disease (COPD), the range is broad, encompassing both acute and chronic conditions. Other major diseases include cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and sleep apnoea. Respiratory disease kills one in four people in the UK – even more than heart disease – which is twice the EU average. By 2020, chronic respiratory disease is expected to rank as the fifth leading cause of morbidity. GPs are at the frontline of care in this field,


with respiratory conditions the most common reason for general practice consultation (or emergency medical admission to hospital). Clinicians with an interest in this area are well placed to bring specialist services closer to patients’ homes and to help them better manage their conditions.


Entry and training Training for GPs looking to develop a special interest in respiratory medicine can be gained in a number of ways and should include both practical and theoretical elements. This can vary from work experience and attendance at relevant meetings or lectures, to self-directed learning or recognised university courses. There is also the option of completing a diploma in primary care respiratory care. One such course is available at the University of Bradford and takes 18 months to complete,


THIN


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