Understand The Global GOLD Strategy

By Young Lindsay


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a global problem whose intervention has been increased through regular reporting since 2001. The global GOLD strategy was developed to streamline efforts aimed at diagnosis, management and prevention of this disease. Several reports have been released since the initiative was launched. The latest is that of 2014 which makes several considerations.

The recommendations made by the 2014 report include a new approach to management. This comes from findings made by professionals and researchers working in the field and commissioned to give feedback. The paradigm used in treatment should however be maintained. There is a delicate balance between the two aspects. It requires understanding to master these aspects.

The issues that have been assessed until the report was released include the level of symptoms for the patient, the risk of exacerbation in future, how severe the spirometric abnormality is and the identification of comorbidities. The report targets health care professionals who are directly involved in care for affected patients. It takes to account the structure of health care service delivery in an area.

The clinical setting is important during development of management tools. It takes to account symptoms of each patient and the possibility that such a patient will experience serious health event at a later date. Subsequent reports are heavy on evidence. They are released by specialized committees that evaluate the evidence to the furthest extent possible.

The policy has gained impetuous through the inclusion of distinguished specialists in the committees. The specialists aid in initiation of investigations targeted at examining the causes and prevalence in different countries and regions. This action is important in giving the initiative a global perspective.

A multisectoral approach has been adapted to include governments, institutions and professionals in the health sector. The aim is to create awareness among health workers, national leadership, health care providers and the general population on the burden that comes with COPD. This will simplify early detection, prevention and management.

Regular reporting targets stake holders and provides information necessary for improving the quality of intervention measures. Areas that are given extensive coverage include severity level and treatment. The reports indicate that treatment has been very effective. It also gives encouraging results on intervention measures taken.

The staging method used in gauging severity reveals different effects and vulnerability to hospitalization and death in some cases. There are variations at individual level based on level of exercise, breathlessness and quality of health. Initial reports aimed at providing a general perception or perspective. Modifications along the process provides crucial details for everyone involved in these processes.

There is an attempt to offer best practice to intervention measures. Patients from different parts of the world can benefit from the experiences of others. This aids health care professionals in developing personalized care.

Committees tasked with developing the reports insist that each patient should get individualized therapy. It is said to be the fourth largest killer in the world yet it is preventable and treatable. The aim of intervention measures is to prevent premature death that comes when the disease advances or from related complications. Research is ongoing in this regard.




About the Author: