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The Importance of Patient Education: Introducing Our New COPD Folder

Visiting a doctor when you’re concerned about your health can be stressful and overwhelming. As primary care doctors and advanced practice providers* (APPs), our goal is to help you manage your health and that includes arming you with educational materials. That is why we are proud to partner with the COPD Foundation to help find the missing millions who are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Together, we have also created a new COPD educational folder to help our patients manage their COPD, avoid worsening their condition, and feel empowered to take control of their health.

How Does Meaningful Education Affect My Health?

Most people find themselves in uncharted waters, especially when it comes to their health. Often, medical jargon or an overload of information during a doctor’s appointment results in confusion. In fact, 1 out of 2 patients walk out of their doctor’s office without knowing what they’re supposed to do. Through meaningful patient education that is started as soon as a diagnosis is given, or as early as possible, you are more likely to understand your condition, the available treatments, and your next steps towards getting well.

Health education is tremendously important for people with chronic conditions. When you are presented with information you can understand, you’ll feel more comfortable participating in the decision-making process, following your doctor’s instructions, taking your medication correctly, and successfully recovering or maintaining a good health status in the long run. Managing a chronic condition primarily takes place outside of your doctor’s office or the hospital, as your needs are recurring, and often permanent lifestyle changes are necessary. With meaningful patient education, self-management of your condition improves, and you are better equipped to maintain your physical and mental wellness.

What is the COPD Patient Folder?

The COPD Patient Folder is a comprehensive set of tips, information, and educational materials about COPD authored by doctors specializing in COPD at both Village Medical™ and the COPD Foundation and designed to help patients breathe better. It gives patients an understanding of their diagnosis, provides them with useful tips and information they can use to manage their COPD both long-term and during flare-ups, and ways to avoid worsening their COPD over time.

The COPD Patient Folder contains important information for patients related to:

  • Understanding COPD
  • COPD Action Plan
  • COPD Flare-Up (Exacerbation)
  • Medications for COPD
  • Staying Healthy and Avoiding Pneumonia if You Have COPD
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • COPD Rescue Pack
  • It's Never Too Late to Quit Smoking

How can the COPD Patient Folder help people with COPD manage their condition?

Understanding COPD is the key to breathing better and living a healthier life. The COPD Patient Folder is designed to give patients the tools and information they need to address different components of living with COPD, in coordination with their primary care provider. Each piece of the folder takes an in-depth look at the elements of successfully managing their COPD and provides concrete recommendations and actions to help patients breathe better and live their lives.

The information provided is designed to empower patients and help them take control of their health. If you have COPD, you should speak with your doctor, APP, care manager, pharmacist, and other members of your healthcare team about how to properly manage your condition. They will work with you to develop a COPD action plan to treat your COPD that is personalized to your specific health needs.

Learn More About COPD and the COPD Patient Folder?

We developed the COPD Patient Folder in collaboration with the COPD Foundation. The COPD Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with COPD and other lung diseases through initiatives that expand services and speed innovations to make treatment more effective and affordable. Together, we are working to support patient awareness and education, help identify the “missing millions” of Americans with undiagnosed COPD and increase access to pulmonary rehabilitation. This incredible partnership leverages the COPD Foundation’s deep expertise in COPD and lung disease diagnosis and treatment, along with our wide range of doctors and advanced practice providers who help get patients the care they need.

You can take action today to take control of your COPD – and we are here to help. Your health is important, and by acting now, you will set a strong foundation for successfully managing your COPD to live your best life.

*An advanced practice provider is defined as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.