Hello Frank............"He referred to it as COPD without benefit of PFT. "........ that is unfortunate. Have you read the X-ray? That would only be the beginning. One needs a CT scan.
Spirometry/Pulmonary function tests are needed to determine if symptoms are caused by a lung condition such as asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis,
They clarify if obstructive (COPD) or restrictive (pulmonary fibrosis). Doctor needs to know how to interpret the results (below is an example).

My view is that before medicine is art, one needs to have a solid foundation and sufficient experience in the area of concern. Art is then educated guessing. I see a PCP as a doctor who has a broad background but does not have depth in any one area. They are the first "medical line" and handle common issues and direct bigger issues to the correct specialist. My PCP is noteworthy because he is not afraid to say he does not know something. When I asked him if I should switch osteoporosis drug, he said he did not know, and I should see an Endocrinologist. I did and learned that contrary to normal practice I should stay on my current drug because it has anti-bone tumor properties, and I have cancer. That was a valuable piece of information!

Pulmonary function test interpretation example: Spirometry and the calculation of FEV1/FVC allows the identification of obstructive or restrictive ventilatory defects. A FEV1/FVC < 70 % where FEV1 is reduced more than FVC signifies an obstructive defect. Common examples of obstructive defects include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The FEV1 can be expressed as a percentage of the predictive value which allows classification of the severity of the impairment. An FEV1/FVC > 70% where FVC is reduced more so than FEV1 is seen in restrictive defects such as interstitial lung diseases (e.g. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and chest wall deformities.
Take care!