The COPD Foundation Announces the Launch of Our New Patient-Focused Mobile App
Washington, DC—October 21, 2019 - The COPD Foundation is pleased to announce that we have launched a new version of our popular Pocket Consultant Guide (PCG) mobile app featuring a track for patients and caregivers. The PCG was originally designed as a convenient reference card for healthcare providers. The mobile version was launched in 2013 and updated in 2018. Immediately after the updated app was launched, our team began thinking of ways to improve the patient experience through a mobile app.
"Since 2007 the COPD Foundation has distributed more than 800,000 pocket consultant cards to providers around the country in hope of improving COPD care. Several years ago, the Foundation updated our free app providing a more interactive service including inhaler videos. We believe the launch of the newest version represents another important step to improving care. This new version includes a patient track with an interactive daily action plan, activity monitoring, and exercise videos. Together we can make a difference!" – Dr. Byron Thomashow, Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation
The newest version of the app, now available on the App Store and Google Play, has several exciting new features, including the introduction of a patient and caregiver track designed to improve disease management and communication with a patient’s healthcare team. Some of the features of the patient track include:
- An interactive My COPD Action Plan and tracking calendar
- Inhaler and exercise videos
- Activity tracking
- Wallet card to track important information, including medications and immunizations
- “For My Next Visit” prompts and reminders
- Information about the COPD Patient-Powered Research Network and COPD360social
- Direct access to the 25 latest articles posted in the COPD Foundation’s patient blog, the COPD Digest
"The new patient-focused track provides wonderful support for people affected by COPD such as the inhaler and exercise videos as well easy ways to collect and share information with your doctor or nurse using the wallet card and daily symptom tracking. Please share how you use it." – Dr. Barbara Yawn, Chief Science Officer, COPD Foundation
This new version also includes a more streamlined navigation system throughout the app, the addition of on-page instructions on both the provider and patient views and direct access to the Journal of the COPD Foundation articles via the provider main menu. In addition, users can toggle between the patient and provider tracks providing all app users access to the features and tools on both tracks.
"The COPD Foundation is committed to leveraging technology to develop solutions that contribute to improving the lives of anyone affected by COPD. The COPD Pocket Consultant Guide mobile app is one example of this commitment. We're very excited about the new version of the app because in addition to improvements made to the features already provided for healthcare professionals, this is the first version that introduces features and tools specifically designed for the patient and caregiver." – Vincent Malanga, Chief Information Officer, COPD Foundation
To date, more than 22,000 healthcare professionals have downloaded the PCG App. We are excited to bring this new version, with features targeted toward patients and caregivers, to the patient and caregiver community.
About COPD
COPD encompasses progressive lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma and severe bronchiectasis. The disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness.
About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation’s mission is to prevent and cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and improve the lives of all people affected by COPD. The Foundation’s activities focus on achieving these results through research, education and advocacy programs. To learn more about the COPD Foundation, please visit www.copdfoundation.org
ContactThe COPD Foundation
Bret Denning, Care Delivery & Communications Program Specialist
bdenning@copdfoundation.org
1-866-731-2673 ext. 201