%0 Journal Article
%T Interdisciplinary model of care (RADICALS) for early detection and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Australian primary care: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
%A Ajay Mahal
%A Anne E Holland
%A Benjamin van Hecke
%A Billie Bonevski
%A Eldho Paul
%A Grant Russell
%A Jenifer Liang
%A Johnson George
%A Kate Petrie
%A Kirsten Phillips
%A Michael J Abramson
%A Nicholas Zwar
%A Paula Eustace
%A Sally Wilson
%J -
%D 2017
%R 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016985
%X Introduction Up to half of all smokers develop clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Gaps exist in the implementation and uptake of evidence-based guidelines for managing COPD in primary care. We describe the methodology of a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an interdisciplinary model of care aimed at reducing the burden of smoking and COPD in Australian primary care settings.

Methods and analysis A cRCT is being undertaken to evaluate an interdisciplinary model of care (RADICALS ¡ª Review of Airway Dysfunction and Interdisciplinary Community-based care of Adult Long-term Smokers). General practice clinics across Melbourne, Australia, are identified and randomised to the intervention group (RADICALS) or usual care. Patients who are current or ex-smokers, of at least 10 pack years, including those with an existing diagnosis of COPD, are being recruited to identify 280 participants with a spirometry-confirmed diagnosis of COPD. Handheld lung function devices are being used to facilitate case-finding. RADICALS includes individualised smoking cessation support, home-based pulmonary rehabilitation and home medicines review. Patients at control group sites receive usual care and Quitline referral, as appropriate. Follow-ups occur at 6 and 12£¿months from baseline to assess changes in quality of life, abstinence rates, health resource utilisation, symptom severity and lung function. The primary outcome is change in St George¡¯s Respiratory Questionnaire score of patients with COPD at 6£¿months from baseline.

Ethics and dissemination This project has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee and La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee (CF14/1018 ¨C 2014000433). Results of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and research conferences. If the intervention is successful, the RADICALS programme could potentially be integrated into general practices across Australia and sustained over time.

Trial registration number ACTRN12614001155684; Pre-results
%U https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/9/e016985