News > Education and training

An estimated 33,000 people a year die with COPD in the UK; that’s 90 a day, or one every 3.8 hours. A clear message from patients during consultation about the National Service Framework for COPD (now named the COPD Clinical Strategy) and the Next Stage (Darzi) Review is the importance of effective communication during their consultations with healthcare professionals. This is especially true at diagnosis and end of life planning.

As part of their joint work the two UK clinical respiratory societies, British Thoracic Society and General Practice Airways Group, have produced Living and Dying with COPD - an educational programme consisting of a DVD and a CD of PowerPoint slides.

The DVD comprises short clips of patients’ and carers’ stories and views on diagnosis and end of life dialogue and an expert panel discussion on ways to approach these issues.

The CD draws out the key learning points, references and links to latest evidence and publications and practical tips on how to improve the consultation. The film clips tell a powerful story, but the material will probably best be used by a facilitator as part of an educational programme on communication skills, and/or COPD care. To see a demo, click here.

If you want to order a free copy of the programme that will be available in February 2009 then email bts@brit-thoracic.org.uk, putting IMPRESS-living and dying with COPD in the subject field.