How this fits in

The period immediately following an acute exacerbation of COPD is a high-risk period for recurrence and a critical time to intervene. Hospital-initiated, guideline-based care bundles have been previously proposed to optimise post-exacerbation care and reduce readmission; however, convincing evidence of effectiveness has been lacking. As post-exacerbation care is mainly delivered by GPs in Australia, this study describes detailed insights from their perspectives regarding factors affecting the provision of evidence-based care in the period following hospital discharge. The findings highlight factors that should be addressed to enhance care of COPD patients to prevent future exacerbations and hospital readmissions.