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COPD is increasingly common in China but is poorly understood by patients, medications are not used as prescribed and there is no access to recommended non-pharmacological treatment. We explored COPD patients’ and general practitioners’ (GPs) knowledge of COPD, views on its management and the acceptability of a flexible lung health service (LHS) offering health education, exercise, self-management, smoking cessation and mental health support. Using a convergent mixed methods design, data were collected from patients and GPs using focus groups (FGs) in four Chinese cities, questionnaires were also used to collect data from patients. FGs were audio-recorded and transcribed. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, thematic framework analysis was used for the qualitative data. Two-hundred fifty-one patients completed the questionnaire; 39 patients and 30 GPs participated in ten separate FGs. Three overarching themes were identified: patients’ lack of knowledge/understanding of COPD, current management of COPD not meeting patients’ needs and LHS design, which was well received by patients and GPs. Participants wanted COPD education, TaiChi, psychological support and WeChat for social support. 39% of survey responders did not know what to do when their breathing worsened and 24% did not know how to use their inhalers. 36% of survey respondents requested guided relaxation. Overall, participants did not fully understand the implications of COPD and current treatment was sub-optimal. There was support for developing a culturally appropriate intervention meeting Chinese patients’ needs, health beliefs, and local healthcare delivery. Further research should explore the feasibility of such a service.

To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected over five million individuals worldwide and killed hundreds of thousands individuals of all ages and ethnicities. People with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections. In this document, we, an international group of respiratory health care providers and researchers, summarised our hands-on experience and lessons learned from combating COVID-19 according to three perspectives: 1) patient level: interactions with health care providers; 2) health care provider level: real-time experience sharing; and 3) community level: environmental impact, air pollution. Our proposed actions and implementations are practical and feasible and may foster deeper thoughts and considerations into how to move forward in managing the heavy respiratory burden in times of COVID-19., This paper offers practical and feasible actions to be implemented at patient, health care provider and community level to combat COVID-19 while attending, maintaining and strengthening ongoing health management in people with lung diseases.