Mapping Interprofessional Care Models in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Scoping Review Protocol

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations are a major cause of hospitalization, healthcare costs, and patient morbidity. Effective management requires coordinated inputs from multiple healthcare disciplines. However, existing interprofessional care models during acute exacerbations remain heterogeneous and lack a comprehensive synthesis. Objective: This scoping review aims to map and describe the existing interprofessional care models utilized in the management of patients hospitalized with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods: Conducted in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed to identify relevant studies addressing multidisciplinary or interprofessional team-based care models for AECOPD. Titles, abstracts, and full texts will be screened independently against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data charting will extract key characteristics of the care models, professional roles, and reported clinical outcomes. Significance: By mapping current interprofessional approaches, this review will identify structural gaps, highlight best practices, and inform future clinical policy and research in respiratory care.