Authors: Geetika Bhargava, RRT CRE, & Michael Georgievski, RKin

The COVID-19 global pandemic halted traditional healthcare and limited access to community-based care. The pandemic has challenged the healthcare system to find alternate means to healthcare delivery.  Presented with an opportunity to change the platform of traditional community-based care, the Vaughan Community Health Centre (VCHC) COPD Program shifted its care to a virtual platform helping to eliminate the barriers to healthcare imposed by the pandemic.

COPD is a progressive disease, worsening over time, however with the proper self-management tools, its progression can be delayed, preventing further damage to the lungs and positively impact clients’ quality of life. The COPD Program at the Vaughan Community Health Centre (VCHC) is a recognized program by the Lung Health Foundation and is supported by local practitioners.

With the recent events surrounding COVID-19, the VCHC COPD Program has taken the initiative to ensure continuity of care and exercise by launching the COPD Virtual Care Program.  Much like a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, the Virtual Care Program meets twice a week via Zoom Health Care.  The Virtual Program focuses on breathing techniques, range of motion, respiratory muscle strength building and increasing cardiovascular capacity.  Shifting to a virtual platform has also allowed individuals living outside the Vaughan area to access our services, providing an option where COPD care may be limited.

The COPD Program uses a multidisciplinary approach to care with a focus on disease specific education, exercise, medication education, stress management and smoking cessation through virtual options and group appointments.  Upon completion of an initial assessment, clients are offered a treatment plan through virtual group programs, individual on-site, Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) or telephone appointments. The programs are designed to empower clients to self-manage their disease, with the goal of reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

The Program also offers a monthly Support Group for individuals living with or caring for those living with lung disease. The Support Group provides participants with education on various topics and a welcoming environment to meet others.  The Support Group is implemented in response to clients’ needs to share similar experiences and connect with other individuals who have lung disease. The program has shifted to a virtual platform.

Although face-to-face interaction has been limited, clients reported that the sense of community provided by the virtual group programming and the ability to talk to their peers have helped them immensely during isolation.

“I would recommend it [the program] highly – it has changed my life,” said a recent participant of the COPD Virtual Care Program. “It’s an excellent program which takes its time to truly get to the heart of the matter.”

For more information on the COPD program at VCHC, please visit: www.vaughanchc.com or call: 905.303-8490 extension 2.