Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, Respiratory Physician and Researcher, recently contributed a guest column to Medical Forum WA.
In the piece, Dr Ramakrishnan highlights that more than 70,000 Western Australians have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but half of people living with the disease are unaware that they have it.
“In my experience many sufferers only seek help once their daily lives are significantly impacted, which can be during later stages of the condition,” says Dr Ramakrishnan.
Indigenous Australians are also 5.4 times more likely to be affected by the condition, highlighting a critical need for targeted population-based interventions.
In October 2024, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released the COPD Clinical Care Standard, which outlines that a lung function test is the only way to accurately diagnose COPD.
“It is positive to see LFTs offered as a fully bulk billed service by Respiratory Care WA.”
Read the full column below:
