COPD meets Knowledge Transfer equals top-notch care

Dr. Jean Bourbeau
MUHC director of the Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit (RECRU) at the MCI

At the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)—the fourth leading cause of death nationwide—is at the forefront of care. The work of Dr. Jean Bourbeau, MUHC director of the Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit (RECRU) and his team have developed a hugely successful initiative called “Living Well with COPD”. Most recently a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program was introduced to the initiative, giving patients an effective and safe alternative to in-hospital programs. The home-based rehabilitation program was conceived and implemented as part of a “Knowledge Transfer” project at the MCI in collaboration with Hôpital Laval, Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec. “Knowledge transfer is our strength; this is why we are so efficient at what we do and why the care we provide to our COPD patients is top-notch,” says Dr. Bourbeau. “With knowledge transfer we identify the clinical needs, address the questions, conduct the research projects and then adapt the research into practice.” Studies show that rehabilitation is currently the most effective treatment available to improve shortness of breath, effort tolerance and the quality of life of patients suffering from COPD. Through the home-based rehabilitation program more people will reap the benefits of this treatment.

Home based care improving quality of life...

COPD at a glance

• 300 COPD patients per year have improved quality of life through specialized programs, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation and stress management
• 250 patients per year benefit from COPD self-management skills taught by expert nurses at the MCI
• 200 patients per year admitted to the MCI benefit from high quality care and a specific follow-up pathway on the chronic component of their COPD