Pulmonary Education Program (PEP)

Individuals with COPD who participate in pulmonary rehabilitation are actively working to improve their lives through education and self management programs. The COPD Foundation wants to assist in these efforts by providing educational materials for pulmonary rehabilitation centers and their staff, free of charge.

In addition, this program offers a unique opportunity to reach individuals diagnosed with COPD and ensure that they receive ongoing support, resources, and the necessary tools for proper disease management to promote long-term benefits after rehabilitation. Participating pulmonary rehabilitation centers will be asked to assist in outcome measurements. In addition, pulmonary rehabilitation centers will allow individuals with COPD opportunities to provide feedback regarding PEP.

PEP Introductory Packets for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centers, designed specifically for the pulmonary rehabilitation staff, include:

History of the COPD Foundation, including its programs and mission
Big Fat Reference Guide® (BFRG) 2.0, the most comprehensive bi-lingual educational tool currently available for individuals with COPD, including one page tear-out sheets that can be easily duplicated
The 1,2,3’s of COPD booklet in English/Spanish
Slim Skinny Reference Guides® (SSRGs), written at a 6th grade health literacy level and comprised of the 10 most salient topics on COPD
Information on testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, the genetic form of COPD
COPD advocacy information
Information for patients who need assistance related to insurance coverage
Materials designed to assist with development/improvement of patient support groups
Pulmonary Education Program feedback surveys
Free subscriptions to the COPD Digest and Lung Health Professional

Participant Welcome Packets

This packet is provided to every COPD individual who enrolls in PEP. The packets will include essential materials beneficial for them, as well as caregivers. The packets will briefly introduce the COPD Foundation and programs (e.g. education materials, the Call Our Patients Direct (C.O.P.D.) Information Line, advocacy and the COPD Registry).

Participant Graduation Packets

This packet will be provided to individuals with COPD who complete their pulmonary rehabilitation program, offering them a connection for successful continuation of self-management:

Certificate of graduation
Medication adherence schedule and information on the importance of adherence
C.O.P.D. Information Line access
COPD BFRG CD (available in English and Spanish)
The COPD Digest
Operation 435 and other COPD Foundation volunteer opportunities
COPD Registry brochure
COPD Caregiver Guide
Self-addressed “mailer” to provide the COPD Foundation with feedback on the Program
Access to Coaches Corner and online support materials

Education Days

The COPD Foundation will provide pulmonary rehabilitation centers with the opportunity to host education days in their communities. A COPD Foundation Education Day is a full-day event featuring expert speakers for both patients/caregivers (4 hours) and health care professionals (4 hours CEU/CME). A wide range of topics including but not limited to: pathology, treatment, self-management, nutrition, exercise, health care reform, lung transplant, etcetera will be presented.

Support Groups

The COPD Foundation will provide information on how to organize new and/or supplement existing support group meetings using checklists, packets, and a series of ten SSRGs to generate discussion topics. Bi-monthly, the COPD Foundation will provide the pulmonary rehabilitation staff and PEP graduates access to a featured speaker via webinar. The featured speaker may be a patient, physician or other health care professional active with the COPD Foundation.

C.O.P.D. Information Line Associates

PEP graduates will have access to trained Associates who can answer practical questions that they may not feel comfortable asking a health care provider. C.O.P.D. Associates provide information and education resources, as well as emotional support to people living with COPD. No medical advice is provided. The COPD Foundation provides individuals diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, access to special resources appropriate for Alphas.

Follow-up

PEP graduates will have the opportunity to sign up for a follow-up program designed to encourage individuals living with COPD to embrace self-management of their disease in order to promote long-term benefits gained during rehabilitation. In addition, materials stressing the importance of medication adherence (as prescribed by their health care provider) will be included.

To register, contact Scott Cerreta at (866) 731-2673 ext 443 or scerreta@copdfoundation.org. Or, contact the C.O.P.D. Information Line at 1-866-316-(COPD) 2673.