Frailty and respiratory disease in primary care

PCRS have issued a position statement on strategies to care for patients with respiratory disease and frailty in the community setting. Frailty is thought to affect around 10% of those aged over 65 years and up to half of those aged over 85 years. The health and social care needs of these vulnerable patients can be complex and require a holistic approach that should involve confirmation of current diagnoses and review of all medications giving consideration to the goals of treatment, likely benefits and likely side effects. The primary care clinician is critical in providing continuity of care and coordinating support from multiple services, reducing the overall burden of care and in ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment that is beneficial for them.