Boston University School of Medicine is launching a Virtual Community of Practice. This program is targeted toward physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who are committed to making practice changes in the diagnosis and management of their patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to two teleconferences, participants will be guided by experts through a performance improvement initiative that will allow them to make improvements in the care of their COPD patients. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. This program is free of charge.

Your participation in this activity will be supported by:

• Our COPD Virtual Community website, which will include access to rotational guidelines, a discussion board, supplemental educational resources, and forms to imput your data.

• Support from nationally-known faculty experts (an MD, a PA, and an NP) accessed via teleconference and e-mail.

• Ongoing support from the CME office at Boston University School of Medicine.

Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants

Dennis E. Niewoehner, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
University of Minnesota
Director, Pulmonary Division
VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, MN

Claire Murphy, RN, MSN, NP-C
Pulmonary/TB Nurse Practitioner
Instructor of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

Mary P. Ettari, MPH, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jensen Beach, FL

Roy C. Blank, M.D.
QI Consultant
Southern Piedmont Primary Care
Monroe, NC

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible¹ is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.² Primarily caused by cigarette smoking, COPD affects about 10 million Americans,³ although it largely remains under-recognized and underdiagnosed. Because the effects of COPD are more easily treatable in the earlier stages of disease progression, primary care clinicians can play a crucial role in patient care by recognizing and diagnosing COPD, educating and counseling patients, and prescribing optimal pharmacologic and norpharmacologic therapies.

1. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), World Health Organization (WHO), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bethesda, Md: 2004. 100 p.

2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Data Factsheet. US Department of Health and Human Services, NIH, NHLBI. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/other/copd_fact.pdf. Accessed September 2007.

3. Mannino DM, Homa DM, Akinbami LJ, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance—United States, 1971-2000, MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51(SS06):1-16.

As a result of this activity, participants will:

• Assess and improve their practice regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients with potential COPD

• Identify their knowledge gaps and barriers to practice regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COPD

• Develop and implement an Action Plan designed to improve their practice in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COPD

• Evaluate the results of their Action Plans and reflect on future opportunities for change

Boston University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Boston University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This program is supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer, Inc.

This self-directed performance improvement activity will require the following:

Stage A: 1 to 2 hours

• Review 10 charts to gather a "snapshot" of your current practice with regard to diagnosing or confirming the diagnosis of your COPD patients.

• Use our COPD Virtual Community website to input your data and view summary data for you and your peers and how they compare with national guidelines.

Stage B: 1 to 3 hours plus time at your workplace as you implement changes

• Develop an Action Plan, based on the results of your chart audit, to guide your changes in practice. You will receive feedback from the faculty on your Action Plan.

• Participate in at least two 1-hour teleconferences led by our faculty facilitators, during which you will review and discuss the implications of this information for your practice. (Exact dates TBD.)

Stage C: 1 to 2 hours

• Review 10 additional charts to gather a second "snapshot" of your practice 3 months after you have implemented your Action Plan.

• Reflect on the learning that has occurred as a result of this activity. You will be asked to report this to BUSM CME as confirmation of your participation in this activity, as a component of the final evaluation process.

• Improved patient care, including better diagnosis of patients with COPD and more effective management of patients under treatment for COPD.

• Increased understanding of ways to improve office systems in the care of chronically ill patients.

• Generation of practice improvement data potentially useful in earning quality-incentive payments from insurers.

• The data you collect and the improvements you make may possibly be used for re-certification.

• 22 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™

To register or for more information, please call Boston University School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education at (617) 638-4605. You may also register online here.