COPD for healthcare providers

The latest NZ COPD guideline provides simple, practical, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in clinical practice. 

Read more about NZ COPD guidelines 2021(external link) Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ, 2021 and the NZ COPD guidelines quick reference guide 2021.(external link)

• New single inhaler triple therapy for COPD(external link) Pharmac, NZ, 2024
• The COPD prescribing tools (external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
• An update on the pharmacological management of stable COPD(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2020
• GOLD – global strategy for the diagnosis and management of COPD(external link) Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2024
• The nutritional management of unintentional weight loss in people with COPD(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2011
• The COPD assessment test (CAT)(external link)
• Tumilty E, Doolan-Noble F, Fa'atoese Latu AT, et al. ‘A balancing act’. Living with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Southern NZ – a qualitative study(external link) Journal of Primary Health Care 2020;12(2):166-172.
• Pre-hospital management of acute exacerbation of COPD(external link) Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
• Hospital management of acute exacerbation of COPD(external link) Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
• The active cycle of breathing technique(external link) Bronchiectasis, Australia
• COPD breathlessness quick reference guide(external link) Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
• COPD action plan(external link) Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
• Regional Blue card COPD action plan [PDF, 355 KB] District Health Boards, NZ

Videos and webinars

Webinar: COPD: An update on diagnosis and treatment for primary care(external link) Dr Michael Plunkett

This webinar will include, with a focus on recent guideline updates:

• COPD risk factors outside of smoking
• diagnosis of COPD
• management of COPD in primary care
• managing more advanced COPD

You can watch the video, answer questions and claim hours with a certificate. 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by Nicola Corna, a nurse practitioner

(Mobile Health, NZ, 2020)

COPD treatment updates by Linda Bryant, a clinical prescribing pharmacist

(Mobile Health NZ, 2019)

COPD and pulmonary rehabilitation by Dr Wendy McRae

(The Goodfellow Unit, 2018)

Pharmac seminar series

COPD and asthma updates (10 videos)(external link) PHARMAC Seminar Series, NZ, 2015
Radiological images of COPD(external link) and COPD cases(external link) Radiopaedia
Asthma & COPD nursing courses(external link) Asthma NZ

COPD and asthma fundamentals(external link) "The most up-to-date Asthma & COPD Fundamentals course available in New Zealand. The course aligns the latest research with specific information for the New Zealand context, such as recently funded medications, treating Māori and Pacific peoples, and best practice health literacy. The course aligns with the latest NZ asthma guidelines." It includes 2 half-day workshops covering the key aspects of COPD and asthma pathophysiology, management and practice. Delivered by the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation NZ.

Non-pharmacological-management of COPD – Fiona Horwood(external link) Goodfellow Unit, NZ, 2017. Dr Fiona Horwood talks about non-pharmacological management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Fiona is a General Medicine and a Respiratory Physician.

COPD