GEM - Curriculum statement 15.8 respiratory problems

Knowledge Base for the nMRCGP

Curriculum Statement 15.8 Respiratory Problems

Symptoms:

• Breathlessness, cough, wheeze, chest pain, sputum production, haemoptysis
  • breathlessness section from GPnotebook
  • cough section from GPnotebook
  • wheeze section from GPnotebook
  • chest pain section from GPnotebook
  • haemoptysis section from GPnotebook

Common and/or important conditions:

• Upper respiratory tract infections: sore throats and colds, tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, epiglottitis, laryngitis and tracheitis
  • sore throat section from GPnotebook
  • cold section from GPnotebook
  • tonsillitis section from GPnotebook
  • quinsy section from GPnotebook
  • epiglottitis section from GPnotebook
  • laryngitis section from GPnotebook
• Lower respiratory tract infections: influenza, bronchiolitis, bronchitis and pneumonia (of any cause)
  • influenza section from GPnotebook
  • bronchiolitis section from GPnotebook
  • bronchitis section from GPnotebook
  • pneumonia section from GPnotebook
• Acute non-infective respiratory problems: allergy and anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, aspiration of a foreign body
  • anaphylaxis section from GPnotebook
  • allergic rhinitis section from GPnotebook
  • pulmonary embolus section from GPnotebook
  • pneumothorax section from GPnotebook
  • allergic bronchoalveolitis from GPnotebook
• Chronic lower respiratory problems: chronic cough, asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic interstitial lung diseases
  • cough section from GPnotebook
  • asthma section from GPnotebook
  • COPD section from GPnotebook
  • cystic fibrosis section from GPnotebook
  • tuberculosis section from GPnotebook
  • chronic interstitial lung disease section from GPnotebook
• Lung cancer
  • lung cancer section from GPnotebook

Investigation:

• Serial peak flow measurement, including patient diaries
  • asthma section from GPnotebook
• Reversibility testing using peak flow meter
  • asthma section from GPnotebook
  • COPD section from GPnotebook
• Spirometry
  • spirometry section from GPnotebook
• Knowledge of secondary-care investigations and treatment including lung function assessment, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment:

• Understand principles of treatment for common conditions managed largely in primary care – upper and lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, COPD, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Inhaler technique for using commonly used devices.

Emergency care:

• Acute management of people presenting with shortness of breath
• Acute management of anaphylaxis
  • anaphylaxis section from GPnotebook
• Management of exacerbations of asthma and COPD
• Understand indications for emergency referral of people with asthma, COPD and anaphylaxis
  • asthma section from GPnotebook
  • COPD section from GPnotebook

Prevention:

• Smoking cessation assessment, advice and management
  • smoking cessation section from GPnotebook
• Vaccination against influenza, streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenza b, diphtheria and pertussis
  • vaccination section from GPnotebook
• Health education advice and patient self-management plans for people with asthma and COPD
• Understand avoidance of triggers and prophylaxis for allergic conditions
• Investigation of people with family history of genetic respiratory disease, e.g. cystic fibrosis
  • cystic fibrosis section from GPnotebook

Related GPnotebook Educational Modules (GEMs):

• common respiratory problems in primary care GEM
• COPD and oxygen therapy GEM
• smoking cessation GEM