Advanced practice practitioners (APPs), including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, play an important role in caring for people with asthma and COPD, from ongoing disease management to evaluating and helping patients access advanced treatments
Melissa Dolbec, FNP-C, a pulmonary medicine nurse practitioner with The Oregon Clinic Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, recently moderated a national clinical forum on biologic treatments for asthma and COPD. The APPs who participated on the panel discussed how they evaluate patients for these treatments and how factors such as insurance requirements, dosing, and other health conditions can influence treatment decisions.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of helping patients navigate barriers to care, from medication access to pulmonary rehabilitation. As treatment options continue to expand, coordinated care can help patients find an approach that works for their individual needs.