Overview
The COPD National Action Plan calls for the creation of a central tracking system for stakeholders to track progress toward the Plan’s goals and objectives. This Community Action Tool was created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for use by the entire COPD community, and the contents and entries contained within the tool represent the work of the organizations as they are reported.
Please visit our video demonstrations:
- Video: Background — describes the purpose of the tool and the history of its development
- Video tutorial: Overview — provides an overview of the tool
- Video tutorial: Getting started — outlines the process for requesting login credentials and getting started with adding entries
If you have questions about the use of the tool and access to the system, send an email nhlbi_copd@nhlbi.nih.gov. Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. If you have questions about an entry provided by another organization, please contact the sponsoring organization directly.
Account Access
- How do I get a login?
To get a login, fill out this account request form. Once your account is approved, you will receive an email with a link to set your password. Then you can log in using the link in the upper right corner of the site. Visit our Video tutorial: Getting started for a demonstration of how to request login credentials.
- How do I update an existing entry?
To edit an existing entry, first log in, then select the “My Activities” button. You will see a list of all draft and submitted content that you have created. Select the “Edit” link in the far-right column to update an entry. Visit our Video tutorial: Getting started for a demonstration of how to add and update an entry.
- If I start an entry, can I save it and return to complete it later?
Yes. When entering new content, select the “Save Draft” button to come back later to complete your entry (see question #2). Saving your content as a draft will not allow it to show on the website. If you select “Submit,” the entry will be shown on the website.
- The person who entered our information has left our organization. How can we access our entries?
To make changes to your account login, please email nhlbi_copd@nhlbi.nih.gov to request an update. You must include both the old contact name/email address and the new contact name/email address in your request. Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. We will let you know when the name and email have been updated. The first time the new contact person logs in, they must select the “Forgot your password?” link to set a new password.
Content
- What types of activities should be entered into the Community Action Tool?
Any activity conducted by a stakeholder organization that supports any of the goals and objectives in the COPD National Action Plan can be entered into the system by the sponsoring organization. The data contained within is as reported by the COPD stakeholder community in real-time. Organizations are encouraged to enter all programs, activities, or initiatives that support the implementation of the Action Plan.
- How often should my organization report about its activities?
Organizations are encouraged to keep their entries current and to enter all activities, programs, and initiatives supporting the goals and objectives of the Action Plan. NHLBI will send reminders at least annually to all users to enter and update content, but it is up to your organization to keep your information current and to ensure the tool reflects the work your organization is doing to support any of the five goals of the Plan.
- How is the content in the Community Action Tool validated?
All of the information in this tool is self-reported, and it is the responsibility of the organization entering the information to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. NHLBI does not guarantee the currency, accuracy, relevance, or completeness of information provided by other organizations.
- Are there any restrictions on the kinds of information or activities that should be reported?
To ensure the credibility and integrity of the COPD National Action Plan and our partners, please do not include information that promotes commercial products or services. NHLBI reserves the right to remove these entries and to remove login access for registered users who repeatedly violate this condition.
- If my program or activity is already described in detail on another publicly accessible website, what information should I report in this tool?
Information about research studies or other activities may be reported in detail in other public websites. However, to capture their role in supporting the COPD National Action Plan, we ask that you please provide the basic categorization information so that the activity can be captured in the accompanying data charts. The form allows you to include any links where people can learn more (websites, journal articles in the public domain, etc.). In the text entry areas of the form, you may ask people to refer to the links for more information.
- Can research organizations enter study data in the tool? How do you suggest we do that?
Organizations with substantial research activities are also encouraged to provide updates on their research portfolios and areas of study. Organizations are encouraged to provide links to publicly available descriptions of their programs. This may include links to summaries contained in federal databases, such as NIH RePORTER or clinicaltrials.gov. We are unable to provide links to resources that are not available in the public domain.
Using the Information
- Can I reach out directly to other organizations with information in the Tool?
Yes. Each organization reporting an activity must also include contact information for their organization. If you are seeking information on a specific program outlined in the Tool, you are encouraged to reach out directly to the organization that reported the activity.
- How can my organization use this information?
The information in this tool belongs to you as part of the COPD community. It represents a variety of activities, programs, and initiatives that support the implementation of the National Action Plan as reported by stakeholders. Information such as the data charts, which are updated in real time, can be used by your organization for presentations or reports on the progress of the Action Plan. You are encouraged to use the entries to find activity or program ideas or opportunities for collaboration. NHLBI will use the information periodically to report on the National Action Plan’s progress to stakeholders.