Abstract Body

1, Background and purpose

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, changes were necessary in the Portuguese Primary Health Care Units organization, given the need to assist patients with suspected COVID-19 symptoms. This led to a decrease in our assistance capacity to other patients, especially those with chronic diseases. To minimize the impact on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patient’s follow-up, USF Balsa and the University of Algarve developed the MedChronic-Respiratory project, which methods and results are presented here.

2, Methods

All USF-Balsa COPD patients were selected and contacted by telephone, based on a pre-established protocol, designed to provide telephone support, and characterize these patients’ health status, during the lockdown period. The results were recorded and analysed using an Excel spreadsheet.

3. Results

A total of 83 patients were contacted, with ages ranging from 45 to 89 years. Of those, 60 had a COPD Assessment Test score <10 and only 7 had one COPD exacerbation in the last year; 60 were classified as GOLD A. Regarding the therapeutic regimen, 16 used LAMA/LABA, 15 used LABA/ICS, 10 used LAMA; 25 didn’t use any medication. Most patients were very grateful with the contact and agreed with telephone follow-up during the pandemic.

4. Conclusions

This project enabled to maintain the follow-up of our COPD patients, at a time of less medical assistance. This allowed to meet patients’ needs while maintaining support to a group of vulnerable patients.