COPD ConnEx will reach 100 Canadians with new partnership
COPD ConnEx will reach 100 Canadians with new partnership
The Lung Health Foundation and Respiplus have come together to deliver WillKin’s COPD ConnEx program to 100 patients across Canada.
The pilot program launches in Spring 2021 at no cost to 100 patients across Canada, followed by a multi-year commitment, extending to 2025.
WillKin’s COPD ConnEx is tailored to those living with COPD. This program bridges the gap between clinical pulmonary rehabilitation and day-to-day self-management of COPD. The purpose for this program is to reduce clinic visits and burden of the healthcare system by combining exercise and patient education. WillKin will deliver this program through their accredited and well experienced Kinesiologists.
The partnership between Respiplus and The Lung Health Foundation brings together their members, patients, and healthcare professionals to improve access to high quality care for COPD patients.
“This partnership is extremely timely in view of the current pandemic and an important step forward in the future of COPD care,” says Jean Bourbeau MD, MSc, FRCPC, Board President of Respiplus and Director of the Research Institute at McGill University Health Centre – Centre for Innovative Medicine, the COPD Clinic and the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit at MUHC Montreal Chest Institute.
“Only when we adequately support and educate those with COPD on physical activity and a positive lifestyle, in combination with adhering to their medication, will we see an improvement in quality of life and a reduction of hospital admissions from COPD here in Canada.”
- 12 weekly sessions to introduce safe, effective and functional movement
- 12 bi-monthly sessions to improve strength and endurance, as well as connect patients with community resources
- three monthly follow-up sessions to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle
“It’s imperative we keep COPD patients at home living their fullest life and out of hospital,” says George Habib, President and CEO of the Lung Health Foundation whose new strategic direction includes the bold five-year goal to reduce COPD hospital admissions by 10% per cent.
This pilot program and partnership will help COPD patients live healthier lives through better access to self-management, exercise and patient education.