Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

1. Go to the Australian Lung Foundation website for Breathe Easier - COPD guide
Two-sided DL brochure, user-friendly language, uses less Anglo-specific pictures.
Published by the Australian Lung Foundation and Queensland Government discusses symptoms, breathlessness, definitions, who gets it, the facts.
This is a good brochure for people at a medium literacy level, who have just been diagnosed and want a quick summary of the basic information around COPD.

2. Download COPD Patient Education Resource [PDF 524KB]
A5 ten page booklet published by South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice, 2010.
Good use of language but sometimes this resource uses medical jargon but is generally comprehensible.
Includes pictures that make the text easier to understand. Focuses on the general practitioner as the main health professional.
Discusses definition, who is affected, medication, self-management, action plans, smoking.

3. Go to the Australian Lung Foundation website for Save Your Breath- Information For People Newly Diagnosed With COPD
Twenty-two page booklet.
Published by the Australian Lung Foundation and Queensland Government. This resource is well laid out, good use of headings, one picture, user-friendly language. It's for people at a high literacy level who want to know more than the basics. It discusses definition, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, symptoms, management, medication, exercise and diet.

4. Go to the Australian Lung Foundation website for Better Living With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
A4, 105 pages, 2008.
Published by the Australian Lung Foundation and Queensland Government.
A mixture of text and pictures. User-friendly language.
Given the length and amount of text this would be best appreciated by someone with a high literacy level.http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/lung-information/patient-educational-material/better-living-with-copd-a-patient-
You could print out sections that are relevant.
Discusses definition of COPD, lung function, pulmonary rehabilitation, breathlessness, eating, and medication, frequently asked questions, action plans, and patient support groups.

5.Go to the NSW Government Health website for COPD information pack
A4, 19 pages, 2004. Text-heavy, uses one picture per page.
This is a longer version of the ‘COPD Education Resource’ and is published by South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service.
Will be most useful for people with a high literacy level.
This resource discusses definition, self-management, action plan, medications, exercise and smoking.
It is available in English, Arabic, Chinese traditional, Greek and Italian

Go to The Australian Lung Foundation website
This is Australia's peak body for lung health.

1. Go to the Australian Lung Foundation website for Resource order form
Order form for COPD resources from the Australian Lung Foundation for health professionals. Resources range from $0.45 to $13. There is also a range of resources related to other lung conditions.

2. Go to the Australian Lung Foundation website for Lung Foundation fact sheets
Fact sheets on lung conditions.

3. Go to the Australian Lung Foudation website for Pulmonary Rehabilitation toolkit
This toolkit has been developed to help health professionals establish pulmonary rehabilitation programs in metropolitan, regional and rural settings, throughout Australia.

4. Go to Australian Disease Management Association website for Checklists
A good checklist for people to determine whether they have a lung condition.

5. Go to COPD forum website for Professional education materials
Professional education materials.

6. Go to HealthInsite website
Australian government initiative.