Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide affecting a vast amount of the population within the UK. COPD has an enormous impact on the lives of both individuals and their families. While smoking remains the biggest factor of COPD, other factors are enhancing, such as occupational factors. This paper discusses the key role of the nurse in the management of COPD, with the emphasis on health education, smoking cessation, brief interventions, medication compliance and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Toni Gray - Staff Nurse, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool