Because many patients with chronic obstructive airways disease can lead better lives and reduce hospitalization if they are taught enough about their condition, we set up a program to educate such persons and their families. The program employs inhospital predischarge classes, monthly classes that are also open to the public, a monthly newsletter, and distribution of patient education literature. The work is done by volunteer physicians, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists and psychologists, Medicare representatives, and the patients and their families. The monthly classes currently attract 50-100 persons and the newsletter goes to 250. A questionnaire showed that half the patients thought the program had helped them avoid complications that would require medical attention and 70 per cent said they had been helped to avoid everyday problems such as shortness of breath.
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