To help the COPD National Action Plan maximize its effectiveness and reach its goals, respiratory therapists need to learn the plan and how to apply it in their daily work with patients.
“RTs need to download the plan and make sure they’re working the goals that are the most meaningful to the population they serve and/or the role they play in the disease management process,” said Frank R. Salvatore, Jr., MBA, RRT, FAARC, AARC past president and co-chair of the AARC Volunteer-led Grassroots Advocacy Committee.
Salvatore explains that some RTs may be researchers and focused primarily on Goal 4. Or, RTs who care directly for patients will probably need to live and practice Goals 1 and 2.
“There are many opportunities for our profession to make an even more valuable impact on COPD and the care of our patients by living, breathing and advocating for the National COPD Action Plan,” Salvatore said.
Resources
NHLBI dialogue
Earlier this year, the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (NHLBI) brought together experts in rural health and COPD to engage in a dialogue related to the COPD National Action Plan. They discussed the challenges, opportunities, and resources that will help guide the NHLBI, the COPD community, and other stakeholders. Watch the full recording of the meeting.
Visualizing goals
One unique component of the meeting included a visual storyteller who created graphics related to the discussions about the goals, for example, “Setting the Stage” and “Goal 1.” Links to each of the conversation images can be found at the NHLBI press release.
Extracted from AARC (American Association of respiratory care)
