Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

[2017 update]

Introduction to this self-study CME activity

Purpose

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for over 147,000 deaths and 700,000 hospitalizations annually. COPD can have a long pre-symptomatic phase. About 15.7 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, but an estimated 50% of those with COPD are undiagnosed, so the actual number affected is probably much higher. Both physicians and patients under recognize the potential benefits of appropriate disease management for COPD.

This CME activity presents a framework for managing chronic COPD, treating mild to moderate acute exacerbations, and improving symptoms, quality of life and lung function while reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. New information in this updated guideline includes:

  • Assessing multiple aspects of disease severity
  • Using a combination of symptoms and exacerbations to determine pharmacologic therapy
  • New drugs for treatment
  • Reevaluating need for oxygen requirement if on oxygen and clinical picture changes.  

Objectives

Participants in this CME activity will understand and be able to implement evidence-based cost-effective clinical strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults.

Audience

This self-study activity is appropriate for primary care clinicians and other health care providers who provide care for patients with COPD.

Authors

Team Leaders

  • Davoren A. Chick, MD
    General Medicine

Team Members

  • Paul J. Grant, MD
    General Medicine
  • R. Van Harrison, PhD
    Medical Education
  • Amal E. Othman, MD
    Family Medicine
  • Sara E. Roark, MD
    Pulmonary Medicine
  • Meilan K. Han, MD, MS
    Pulmonary Medicine

Consultants

  • Tami L. Remington, Pharm D
    Pharmacy Services

Author Disclosures

Neither the team lead, the team members, nor the consultants have financial relationships with commercial companies whose products are discussed in this CME activity.
Davoren A. Chick, MD
None
Paul J. Grant, MD
None
MeiLan K. Han, MD
Consultant
Novartis, Nycomed
MeiLan K. Han, MD
Speaker's Bureau
Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, CLS Boehring
MeiLan K. Han, MD
Advisory Board
CLS Boehring
R. Van Harrison, PhD
None
Amal E. Othman, MD
None
Sarah E. Roark, MD
None
Tami L. Remington, Pharm D
None

Other Acknowledgements

UMHS Guidelines Oversight Team

  • Karl T. Rew, MD
  • R. Van Harrison, PhD

Literature Search Services

  • Taubman Health Sciences Library

Production of Internet Format and Website Maintenance

  • Julie ReBeau

CME Accreditation and Credit Designation

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

The University of Michigan Medical School designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

Method of Participation

  1. View the web pages. You may print the self-study text to read off-line.
  2. Complete the on-line learning assessment test with a score of 70% or higher.  After you initially take the test, the test will be immediately electronically scored. 
    If fewer than 70% of the questions are answered correctly, the questions that were not answered correctly will be noted in red.  Review the CME content related to those topics and retake the test.
    If 70% or more of the questions are answered correctly, the correct and incorrect answers for all questions will be shown along with explanations of the basis for the correct answer.  The link to register and receive credit is shown at the end of the items and explanations. 
  3. Complete the electronic credit request and activity evaluation.  An electronic certificate of participation will be provided immediately.
  4. Print the certificate of participation for your personal records.
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