New COPD structured education course to cut waiting times for patients
The Sound Doctor, creators of award winning patient health education through films, courses and animations, have just announced their latest course for people with COPD. The company hopes this will help cut waiting times for treatment which used to be face to face, and improve outcomes for patients as a result.
Around 4.5% of the population over 40 live with diagnosed COPD, and the number is rising, the British Lung Foundation reports that lung disease costs the UK £11 billion annually.
The Sound Doctor structured education course helps people to understand their condition better, and gives them the information and motivation they need to look after themselves better.
Here is a short introduction film to our new COPD course
Based around short films, with interactive quizzes, leading clinicians and expert patients are interviewed, with diagrams, bullet-point slides, graphics, goal setting and other resources also included to increase engagement and understanding.
The Kings Fund Report (Shared responsibility for health – Nov 2018) says there is good evidence that people who recognise the importance of self-managing their condition and have the skills, knowledge and confidence to take on this role, experience better health outcomes.
In addition, structured education and support can be highly effective in strengthening these skills, even among those initially less confident or motivated or with low literacy levels (Hibbard and Greene 2013)
Sound Doctor content evaluated by various NHS outlets, has consistently shown benefits for patients and clinicians including:
Improved self-management
Improved medicines management
Positive behaviour change
High popularity and engagement rates
High completion rates for courses
Reduced GP appointments
Reduced hospital admissions
Reduced the pressure on social care