Table 7 Measures of improvement in COPD community-based services*

Knowledge

2 sig (Emery et al. 1998; Goransson et al. 2003) 2 n/s (Brough et al. 1982; Cockcroft et al. 1987)

2 sig (Hermiz et al. 2002; Hernandez et al. 2003)

n/a

n/a

1

Self-management

2

Self-management

Delivery system design

Dyspnoea

1 n/s (Zimmerman et al. 1996)

2 n/s (Hermiz et al. 2002; Monninkhof et al. 2003)

1 sig (Neff et al. 2003) 1 n/s (Bourbeau et al 2003)

n/a

3

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

Quality of life

4 n/s (Emery et al. 1998; Weinberger et al. 2002; Cockcroft et al. 1987; Littlejohns et al. 1991)

2 n/s (Hermiz et al. 2002; Monninkhof et al. 2003)

1 sig (Neff et al. 2003) 1 n/s (Bourbeau et al. 2003)

n/a

3

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

Lung function

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 sig (Rea et al. 2004)

4

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

Clinical information system

Performance

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Mortality

3 n/s (Farrero et al. 2001; Cockcroft et al. 1987; Littlejohns et al. 1991)

3 n/s (Monninkhof et al. 2003; Hernamdez et al. 2002)

n/a

1 n/s (Rea et al. 2004)

n/a

n/a

Health care use

n/a

4 sig (Hermiz et al. 2002; Hernandez et al. 2002; Steinel and Madigan 2003; Haggarty et al. 1991)

2 sig (Neff et al. 2003; Bourbeau et al. 2003)

n/a

2

Self-management

Delivery system design

2

Delivery system design

Decision support

3

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

Hospitalisation

1 sig (Farrero et al. 2001)

3 n/s (Cockcroft et al. 1987; Littlejohns et al. 1991; Weinberger et al. 2002)

4 sig (Hermiz et al. 2002; Hernandez et al. 2003; Steinel and Madigan 2003; Haggerty et al. 1991)

2 sig (Bourbeau et al. 2003; Neff et al. 2003)

2 sig (Barnett 2003; Rea et al. 2004)

1

Self-management

2

Self-management

Delivery system design

2

Delivery system design

Decision support

3

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

4

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support

Clinical information systems

Length of stay

3 n/s (Cockcroft et al. 1987; Littlejohns et al. 1991; Farrero et al. 2001)

2 sig (Hernandez et al. 2002; Steinel and Madigan 2003)

2 sig (Bourbeau et al. 2003; Neff et al. 2003)

n/a

2

Self-management

Delivery system design

2

Delivery system design

Decision support

3

Self-management

Delivery system design

Decision support