Program of Integrated Care for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Multiple Comorbidities

40 minute standardized education session based on the Living Well with COPD Patient's Education Tool on study enrolment to assess and improve understanding of disease and ability to monitor symptoms and recognize exacerbation

Individualized action plan using the Living Well with COPD template with patient individualized modification to address management strategies for exacerbation of comorbidity developed during the initial 40 minute session with case manager.

Individualized care plan for management of COPD and comorbidities developed by the case manager in consultation with family physician and specialists.

Standardized reinforcement/motivational interviewing and action plan teach-back sessions based on Living Well with COPD modules as well as assessment of symptoms, progress and problems, and problem solving by phone weekly for 12 weeks, then monthly for 9 months (21 sessions) (telephone script; NOTE: case managers will make up to 3 attempts to contact participants during each week of the 12 weeks of weekly phone calls before determining inability to contact the participant for that week.

Tele-home monitoring of SpO2, weight, dyspnea, sputum quantity and characteristics, and general well-being for maximum of 6 months.

Inclusion criteria

for tele-home monitoring:

a. compatible phone line b. patient consent c. patient or caregiver demonstrated ability to use monitoring equipment d. patient unable to attend outpatient/community appointments for assessment and monitoring because of environmental barriers to access (e.g. physician's office only accessible by stairs) e. severe dyspnea on activities of daily living (Medical Research Council Questionnaire for Assessing Severity of Breathlessness [MRC] Class 4 & 5 or modified MRC [mMRC] 3 & 4) f. frequent ED visits (> 2) in last 12 months

• 12 weeks of clinical stability with no ED visits.

Coordinated and improved communication between the patient, family caregivers, family physicians, specialists, and Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) facilitated by the case manager. This will include phone contact by case manager to family physicians and CCAC case manager if applicable after initial enrollment, education session and development of action plan, then monthly to report general status as well as after subsequent ED presentations/hospital admissions

Priority access to ambulatory clinics (Respirology and other specialties as required including Psychiatry) facilitated through the case manager.

Dictated patient summary sent by specialists (e.g. respirologists) to family physicians following each respiratory centre visit (every 12 weeks)

Referral to an 8 week in-hospital rehabilitation and self-management education program for patients that are:

• have had a recent exacerbation, but are now clinically stable;
• symptomatic COPD including reduced activity levels and increased dyspnea despite pharmacological treatment;
• have stabilized comorbidity (no evidence of active ischemic, musculoskeletal, psychiatric or other systemic disease); and
• have sufficient motivation to participate.

Referral to a smoking cessation program (as applicable)

Individualized action plan developed with treating respirologist at the discretion of the attending respirologist.

Referral to educational materials and resources (Living Well with COPD module printouts provided during COPD rehabilitation classes at a cost to the individual)