COPD Assessment and Management Course

Fact Sheet Study Days Agenda Student Comments

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States.  Approximately 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, but the true prevalence is thought to be closer to 30 million.  A revolution is underway in COPD care thanks to advances in understanding the disease process and in available medications and treatments.   Excellent patient care requires mastery of prevention strategies, diagnostic procedures including history, physical examination, and spirometry interpretation, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management approaches, and solid patient education skills.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of disease process and risk factors

• Discuss prevention strategies and how to counsel smoking cessation

• Discuss elements of comprehensive history and physical exam and demonstrate understanding of the significance of information gathered

• Demonstrate basic understanding of spirometry testing and interpretation

• Apply criteria for diagnosis and staging to case study patients

• Design comprehensive management plans for patients with mild, moderate, and severe disease including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies and patient education.

• Recognize signs and symptoms of acute exacerbation and recommend proper treatmen

• Discuss key elements of end-of-life care.

Target Audience

The COPD Course is designed for licensed health professionals: nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered respiratory therapists, pharmacists, case managers, and physicians.  Because the course focuses on clinical practice, applicants are expected to be actively working with COPD patients, either in primary or secondary care.

Course Format

The COPD Course is a comprehensive 12-week program including 2 interactive study days, self study, and a formal evaluation. 

Interactive study days 

Midway through the course, students join an expert trainer for 2 concentrated and interactive study days.  Students review COPD pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and spirometry in the diagnosis and monitoring of COPD, followed by a practice session in spirometry interpretation.  Using case studies, students work through the assessment and management of patients with mild, moderate, and severe disease using both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches. 

Self study

Course materials consist of a comprehensive workbook, CD-ROM on Respiratory Therapeutics, and award-winning videotape.  Each unit of the workbook contains learning activities, recommended reading, and references. Students receive their materials by mail at the beginning of the study period.

Evaluation:  Becoming an NRTC COPD Course Graduate

Mastery of course material and application to practice is evaluated at 2 points.

Objective exam to be completed by the mid-course study days

Two papers to be completed by the end of the course

Case-based assessment and management study including a spirometry interpretation exercise

Reflective paper about an actual patient whose care benefited from knowledge gained during the COPD course

Students who obtain a combined score of 60% or greater on these examinations become COPD Course Graduates and receive the NRTC COPD Course Certificate of Completion. 

Accreditation

• AANP. This program has been approved for up to 28.0 contact hours of continuing education (which includes up to 8.0 hours of pharmacology) by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.  Program ID 0611433.
• AAPA. This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 11.5 hours of AAPA Category I (Pre-approved) CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. 
• AARC. The American Association for Respiratory Care has granted the COPD Course 23.5 hours of continuing education credit (CRCE).  Provider #9380443.
• CBRN. The COPD Course has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13556 for 62.8 contact hours.

Tuition

Individual tuition for the COPD Course is $595.  Costs related to travel, accommodation, and meals to attend the study days are the responsibility of the student. 

Location

The COPD Course is held in various locations across the United States. For more information about upcoming courses, starting a course in your area, or enrollment, please contact our national office:

National Respiratory Training Center

PO Box 5468

Suffolk, VA 23435

Telephone:  Main Office 757-483-4130

Education Department: 757-668-6455                      

Fax:  757-483-4261

Email:  info@nrtc-usa.org

Check our schedule of Upcoming Training Programs to find a course near you.

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