The Irish COPD paradox and the promise of virtual care
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By
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Emma Lynn Burke
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Clare Connolly
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Niki Byrne
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Karolina Glomba
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Ian McCabe
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David Tiernan
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Sheila Gleeson
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Hemendra Worlikar
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Derek OKeeffe
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Sinead Walsh
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May 29, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Exploring the COPD Paradox in Ireland and the Potential of Telehealth Solutions
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) |
| Key Mechanisms | Virtual Care Pathways and Remote Patient Monitoring |
| Target Population | Adults with high-risk COPD (GOLD Group B/E) |
| Care Setting | Community and acute care settings |
Key Highlights
- Ireland has the highest COPD hospitalisation rate in the OECD at 315 per 100,000.
- 97.3% of exacerbation episodes managed via telehealth were completed without hospital admission.
- Mean length of stay for COPD admissions reduced by 51.5% to 5.15 days.
- Estimated €949,000 in gross hospital cost avoidance.
- The absence of digitally excluded patients highlights equity concerns in telehealth access.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Utilize clinical assessments and symptom scores for COPD diagnosis.
Management
- Implement Virtual Care Pathways for proactive management of COPD.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Employ Remote Patient Monitoring to track physiological data and symptoms.
Risks
- Address potential anxieties related to technology failure and clinical abandonment.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults with high-risk COPD, particularly those in rural areas and lower socio-economic groups.
Telehealth solutions can facilitate early intervention and reduce hospital admissions.
Clinical Best Practices
- Design hybrid digital-analogue pathways to include digitally excluded patients.
- Focus on integrated, population-based care to address the inverse care law.
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