“COPD and Primary Care: Treating the Whole Patient” Workshop

November 4th, 2006, Bethesda, MD—The central focus of this meeting was to address the treatment of COPD in relation to co-morbidities, its treatment in outpatient and hospital settings, current modalities in disease management, and the future of COPD management and treatment. The learning objectives were:

Improve the accuracy of a COPD diagnosis. Understanding the disease progression of COPD. Expose workshop attendees to current treatment options for COPD and co-morbidities. Expand the patient education opportunities, awareness and empowerment, in order to truly address the needs of the whole person.

This workshop was attended by physicians, clinical researchers, and scientists involved in the study and treatment of COPD. Esteemed medical 
organizations were represented, including the American College of Chest Physicians, American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, American Association for Respiratory Care, American Thoracic Society, and various patient organizations. The conference was co-chaired by Dr. Byron Thomashow of Columbia University, John W. Walsh, President of the COPD Foundation, and Dr. Barbara Yawn of Olmsted Medical Center. The American Academy of Family Physicians approved this course for 8 hours of prescribed credit.