Self-management programs and action plans for COPD

Self-management programs aim to teach patients with chronic disease the skills needed to carry out medical regimens specific to their condition. They also aim to guide behaviour change to help patients control their condition and improve their wellbeing.

Self-management programs for COPD involve a range of strategies, including written action plans to manage symptoms, avoiding risk factors (eg smoking), maintaining adequate nutrition and physical activity, and adhering to drug regimens.

Consider introducing a COPD self-management program for patients likely to be able to self-manage and follow an action plan. Written COPD action plans are an important component of self-management; they must be accompanied by comprehensive patient education to be effective.

A written COPD action plan outlines the initial measures that the patient should take in response to an increase in symptoms. This can include:

• adjusting bronchodilator therapy to control symptoms
• starting oral corticosteroid therapy if breathlessness increases and interferes with activities of daily living
• considering starting antibiotics if the exacerbation is suspected to be caused by bacterial infection (see Is the COPD exacerbation caused by infection?).

Patients should keep a course of corticosteroid and antibiotic tablets at home for use as part of self-management. See Exacerbations of COPD for information about clinical management of an exacerbation.

The written COPD action plan must be developed, updated and reviewed in partnership with the healthcare team and the patient. A COPD action plan template is available from the Lung Foundation Australia website.