An expert-supported monitoring system for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial.

The article presents information on a cluster randomized controlled trial which determined whether general practice monitoring system with respiratory expert recommendations for general practitioners' management of patients with chronic obstructive monitoring disease (COPD) is effective long-term. The trial which was conducted from July 2005 to February 2008 involved 200 participants in the south-western region of the Netherlands. Analysis of the research findings indicate the ineffectiveness of an expert-supported monitoring system for COPD patients.