COPD pathways updated in line with 2025 GOLD guidelines

We’re pleased to share that the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) suite on HealthPathways has been updated to align with the 2025 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, in collaboration with local respiratory physicians.

Our sincere thanks go to Dr Stephen Chung, Dr Rob Nickels and Dr Das Mutalithas for their expert input during the update process.

The pathway updates aim to support GPs in delivering evidence-based, coordinated care for patients with COPD across all stages of the disease.

In particular, the revised pathways provide clearer guidance on diagnosis, inhaler prescribing, and follow-up, including updates to reflect the new GOLD ABE classification system, and a stronger focus on exacerbation prevention and personalised review.

The 2025 GOLD guidelines now recommend a combined blood eosinophil count and exacerbation history to guide inhaled corticosteroid use. For many patients, this means re-evaluating current inhaler regimens. The revised COPD HealthPathways offer practical guidance on how to apply this in everyday general practice.

The following updated pathways are now live:

• COPD Diagnosis and Initial Management
• Medications in COPD
• Differentiating COPD from Asthma
• Stable COPD Management and Review
• Exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD)

The broader COPD suite also includes:

• End-stage/Palliative COPD Management
• Home Oxygen

We hope these updates make it easier for primary care teams to navigate the complexity of COPD management — from confirming the diagnosis and initiating treatment, to long-term review and advance care planning.

Exploring the updated COPD pathways can contribute to your RACGP CPD under Reviewing Performance or Measuring Outcomes. With individualised logins now tracking time spent on the site, it’s easier than ever to self-log your activity. Consider using the pathways to audit your management of a patient with frequent ECOPD presentations or unclear asthma-COPD overlap.

As always, we welcome your feedback. If there are additional supports or clinical tools that would assist in your care of patients with COPD, please let us know via the feedback button on the pathway.