AARC's Contributions to the COPD National Action Plan:
Overview
Organization: American Association for Respiratory Care
Start Date: 01/2023
End Date: Ongoing
Primary Goal: Goal 1: Empower people with COPD, their families, and caregivers to recognize and reduce the burden of COPD.
Secondary Goal(s):
- Goal 2: Improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD by improving the quality of care delivered across the health care continuum.
- Goal 3: Collect, analyze, report, and disseminate COPD-related public health data that drive change and track progress.
Objective(s):
- Increase public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of COPD so that earlier diagnosis of symptomatic individuals becomes the norm
- Increase the effectiveness and variety of outreach communication campaigns and activities that utilize evidence-based approaches to raise awareness of COPD, particularly among those at high risk, and help people diagnosed with COPD manage the disease
- Expand opportunities to increase COPD awareness across the public-private spectrum
- Develop and encourage the use of a written, patient-centric COPD management plan tool, with appropriate cultural and health literacy considerations, which can be customized with input from the patient's health care provider(s)
- Improve access to care for people with COPD, particularly for those in hard-to reach areas
Collaboration: Respiratory Health Association
American Lung Association
American College of Chest Physicians
American Thoracic Society
COPD Foundation
Activity Type: Patient education, Health care delivery, Provider education, Policy/advocacy
Activity Description
1. Raising Awareness and Education: A key component of the COPD National Action Plan is to raise public awareness about COPD, including the importance of early detection, management, and prevention. The AARC has actively participated in educating both the public and healthcare professionals about COPD, helping to promote the goals outlined in the National Action Plan. AARC's resources and advocacy efforts have emphasized the importance of spirometry testing, proper diagnosis, and management of COPD, which align with the NHLBI's overall goals in the COPD National Action Plan.2. Improving the Quality of Care: AARC has contributed to improving the quality of care for COPD patients through training programs, guideline promotion, and encouraging the use of evidence-based practices and the development of clinical practice guidelines that impact the management of COPD. By supporting initiatives that improve respiratory care in clinical settings, the AARC helps align healthcare professionals with the second goal of the National Action Plan—improving COPD diagnosis, treatment, and management.
3. Patient Advocacy and Access to Care: AARC’s core missions is to advocate for better access to respiratory therapists for patients with COPD and other pulmonary diseases. This aligns with the Plan’s objectives of engaging patients, caregivers, and the general public to reduce the burden of COPD. The AARC has supported policies that enhance access to respiratory therapists, which is a critical step in ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care for COPD.
4. Expertise in Smoking Cessation
RTs are often involved in smoking cessation programs, offering education on the harmful effects of smoking and providing counseling on nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), prescription medications, and behavioral strategies to quit smoking. Respiratory therapists have direct interaction with patients and the AARC encourages utilization of their expertise when developing new products or approaches to smoking cessation tailored to the needs of different populations, including underserved communities.
Programmatic efforts by AARC:
1. Spirometry Training and Promotion
• The AARC has been instrumental in promoting spirometry as a critical tool for early diagnosis and management of COPD, aligning with the National Action Plan’s goal of improving COPD care (Goal 2). AARC provides resources, webinars, and certifications for respiratory therapists to ensure accurate spirometry testing and interpretation in both clinical and community settings.
2. COPD Awareness Initiatives
• COPD Awareness Month and other outreach activities in partnership with patient and provider organization, we have contributed to spreading knowledge about the disease.
3. Continuing Education and COPD Guidelines
• AARC developed continuing education programs focused on the latest guidelines for COPD treatment and management. These programs, aimed at respirato
Audience
General Audience: Patients, Caregivers or family members, At-risk populations, General public, Health professionals, Policymakers/advocates
Focused Audience: n/a
Program Reach: National
Type of Area: Urban, Suburban, Rural
Setting: Health care, Online
Cost and Funding Sources
The Association receives it's funding from membership dues, continuing education and other sources.Impact Analysis
Not able to capture at this time.Advice or Lessons Learned
Focus on the FDA Office of Tobacco and the Administration has been frustrating. Tobacco reform and the recognition of all inhaled products like e-cigarettes will help with COPD prevention.Related Links
Contact Information
American Association for Respiratory Care
Sr. Vice President Government Affairs
Irving
Texas