What provokes experienced COPD clinical practitioners in the UK to initiate or change medication? A consensus study.

Background: In the absence of clarity in national guidelines, this study aimed to reach a consensus among experts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regarding when medication should be initiated or changed in patients demonstrating a gradual decline.

Methods: An electronic three-stage Delphi exercise was undertaken with 37 leading UK experts in COPD. The panel submitted criteria which they scored in subsequent rounds.