%0 Journal Article %A Voicu Tudorache %A Cristian Oancea %A Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu %A Nicoleta Bertici %A Monica Marc %T Impact of medical education program on COPD patients %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P1847 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X Background/Purpose: COPD exacerbations are extremely dangerous for patients. In addition to drug therapy, medical education of patients is a key aspect in the management of this disease. In this pilot study the main outcome was the assessment of the effects of intensive medical education course on COPD-related re-hospitalizations and emergency department visits and monitoring quality of life being secondary outcomes.Methods: 24 stage IV COPD subjects were included in this study. Patients from the intervention group (IG, 12 pts.) underwent a programme comprising two components: a comprehensive medical education programme (1h/day/5days) and specific drug therapy (according GOLD guidelines). The intervention group (IG) was compared with a control group (CG) receiving usual care (only drug therapy, 12 pts). Patients underwent Spirometry and completed Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) regarding the quality of life at the time of inclusion and at periodical evaluations performed every 3 months for a year.Results: Patients included in a medical education programme showed significant decrease of exacerbation rate compared to CG. Patients in the IG group had fewer emergency department visits within a year (12 visits) compared to the CG (19 visits). Patients in the IG had significantly better quality of life (at both 3 months and 6 months) vs. patients in CG (65.49±5.48, 69.11±4.88 vs. 76.9±5.75, 74.24±5.3).Conclusions: This study reveals that an adequate medical education programme can decrease rates of COPD-related hospitalizations and increase quality of life. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P1847.full.pdf