Volume 16 Issue 3 June 2007Review
The UK General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG): its formation, development, and influence on the management of asthma and other respiratory diseases over the last twenty years
Pages 132-139
*Mark L Levya,b,c,d, Paul Stephensone,f, Peter Barrittc,g, David Bellamyb,h, John Haughneyb,i, Sean Hiltonc,j, Steve Holmesk,l, Kevin Jonesc,m, Ron Nevillen,o, David Priceb,p, Dermot Ryanb,q, Anne Smithr
a
Editor-in-Chief PCRJ
b
Past Chairman GPIAG
c
Founder member GPIAG
d
Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Division of Community Health Sciences:GP Section, University of Edinburgh, UK
e
Deputy Editor, PCRJ
f
The Christmas Maltings and Clements Practice, Haverhill, Suffolk, UK
g
Beeches Medical Practice, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, UK
h
James Fisher Medical Centre, 4 Tolpuddle Gardens, Bournemouth, Hants, UK
i
GPIAG Clinical Research Fellow, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, UK
j
Professor of Primary Care, Division of Community Health Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK
k
Current Chairman GPIAG
l
The Park Medical Practice, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK
m
Oxford Terrace Medical Group, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, UK.
n
First Director of Research, GPIAG
o
Westgate Medical Practice, Dundee, UK
p
GPIAG Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
q
Woodbrook Medical Centre, Loughborough, UK
r
Chief Executive, GPIAG
Received 10 May 2007 • Accepted 13 May 2007 • Online 27 May 2007
Abstract
This article describes the formation and development of the UK General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG), from its inception as a small respiratory special-interest group founded by six general practitioners in 1987 through to its transformation into the largest primary care specialist society in the UK. It highlights the historical context in which the GPIAG was founded - at a time when there was increasing concern about under-treatment and under-diagnosis of asthma in primary care - and describes the way in which its foundation was one of the major influences that led to profound innovation in the primary care management of respiratory disease as well as changes across the primary/secondary care interface. The GPIAG is now a registered charity, has an expanding membership, and has acquired a high profile both nationally and internationally as an advisory body on policy and strategy for the management of respiratory disease in primary care. This review is a 20th anniversary tribute not only to those who have contributed to the success of the GPIAG over the last twenty years, but also to its current membership who enable the GPIAG to continue working towards its charitable aim of "optimal respiratory care for all."
Keywords
asthma, respiratory disease, special interest groups, GPIAG, NRTC, treatment, organisation of care
* Corresponding author. Dr Mark L Levy Tel: +44 (0)1461 600639 Fax: +44 (0)1461 207819 Email: marklevy@animalswild.com | |
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