COPD Conference Brings Together Regional Experts
BREATHE LA Co-Sponsors Hawaii Event as Part of COPD Western Region Network.
Earlier this month, as a leader of the COPD Western Region Network, BREATHE LA proudly co-sponsored the Hawaii COPD Coalition’s “COPD Education Day 2011.” The event was part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) COPD Learn More Breathe Better ®campaign and was composed of COPD patients and allied health professionals and volunteers.
Special speaker Elizabeth Tam, M.D, Chair, Department of Medicine at John A. Burns School of Medicine presented an “Introduction to COPD & Latest Updates” that assists newly diagnosed COPD patients have a better understanding of their COPD and its treatment. Also, Debra Mark, RN, PhD, Researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii and Kris Hara, RRT presented “COPD Treatment by Interactive Computer” in which they showed recent research findings on COPD self-management treatment approaches that consisted of utilizing Skype, social media and computers to allow communication between COPD patients and care providers so that they can be assessed. The self-management treatment gives patients the ability of being self-monitored their treatment in the privacy of their own home.
Techniques of harmonica playing for better breathing was shared and demonstrated by Robert Omura, Conductor, who expressed his passion in helping others who also suffer from dyspnea (shortness of breath). Omura works with support groups and teaches them how to play the harmonica to help relax and improve their breathing, as another way of utilizing the pursed-lip breathing technique.
BREATHE LA staff, Claudia Medina, Lung Health Educator, presented and shared COPD educational resource materials from COPD Learn More Breathe Better ® campaign that supports and assists increased COPD awareness. The campaign’s educational resource materials were made accessible to all attendees. Medina also shared best outreach practices, such as BREATHE LA’s COPD Train-the-Trainer model, Better Breathers Clubs™ training model, professional facilitator training, and training allied health volunteers when engaging in the community.
The event also offered other educational resources from local partners and exhibitors who provided on site lung screenings, booths with information on nutrition, pharmaceutical medicine information, home health and much more.