The COPD Action Plan has been developed to enhance better long-term management of patients with COPD on an individual basis. The concept of self-management plans for patients with COPD is derived from their success in asthma management, indicating doses and medications to take for maintenance therapy and for exacerbations. Instructions for crises are also included.
Launched on World COPD Day (17th November 2004), the action plan proved to be a success, receiving praise from health professionals across Australia.
The Australian Lung Foundation, through its COPD National Program, has developed the plan for use by patients and written by the patient’s health care professional.
Once an action plan is completed, a patient can work with their GP to: Confirm diagnosis and assess severity, Optimise function, Prevent deterioration, Develop support network and self-management plan, and manage eXacerbations of illness.
With good treatment, the quality of a patient’s life can be improved.
It is anticipated that the COPD Action Plan will soon be available as an electronic form for faster retrieval of information.
Click here to download the COPD Action Plan:
COPD Action Plan.pdf
Please forward comments and feedback to: enquiries@lungnet.com.au
In this issue:
“Don't ignore COPD!” was the slogan for 2004 World COPD Day. After all the activities around Australia it would certainly have been difficult to ignore COPD on the 17th of November!
