Impact of medical education program on COPD patients

3^rd International Conference on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

July 11-12, 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Cristian Oancea

University of Medicine and Pharmacy â�?�?Victor Babesâ�?, Romania

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pulm Respir Med

Abstract :

Background: COPD exacerbation is leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. In addition to drug therapy, medical education of patients is a key aspect in the management of the disease. In this pilot study the main outcome was the assessment of the eff ects of intensive medical education course on COPD related re-hospitalizations and emergency department visits and monitoring quality of life being secondary outcomes. Methods: 24 group D COPD subjects were included in this study. Patients from the intervention group (IG, 12 pts.) underwent a program comprising two components: A comprehensive medical education program (1 hour/day/5 days) and specifi c drug therapy (according GOLD guidelines). Th e intervention group (IG) was compared with a control group (CG) receiving usual care (only drug therapy, 12 pts). Patients underwent spirometry and completed Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) regarding the quality of life at the time of inclusion and at periodical evaluations performed every 3 months for a year. Results: Patients included in a medical education program showed signifi cant decrease of exacerbation rate compared to CG. Patients in the IG group had fewer emergency department visits within a year (12 visits) compared to the CG (19 visits). Patients in the IG had signifi cantly better quality of life (at both 3 months and 6 months) vs. patients in CG (65.49�?±5.48, 69.11�?±4.88 vs. 76.9�?±5.75 & 74.24�?±5.3). Conclusions: Th is study reveals that an adequate medical education program can decrease rates of COPD-related hospitalizations and increase quality of life.

Biography :

Email: oancea@umft.ro