Don’t Stop Breathing: Optimizing Function and Quality of Life in COPD Management

Hosted by Geriatric SIG
Virtual
Eligible for Continuing Competency Points

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects millions worldwide and is a leading cause of morbidity, frailty, and hospital readmissions. As Physical Therapists, we are uniquely positioned to address these challenges across the continuum of care, playing a critical role in improving function, reducing exacerbations, and enhancing quality of life. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of COPD management, beginning with a review of disease pathophysiology and its systemic effects, including frailty and functional decline. Through case studies and interactive discussions, we will examine evidence-based physical therapy interventions across acute care, outpatient, subacute, home health, and pulmonary rehabilitation settings. Key topics will include airway clearance techniques, exercise training, pulmonary rehabilitation, and the use of outcome measures. Additional emphasis will be placed on patient education, self-management strategies, nutrition, oxygen use, and medical management. Special considerations, including advanced disease management and lung transplantation, will also be addressed. Learners will leave with practical strategies to improve patient outcomes, slow disease progression, and reduce hospital readmissions through targeted, multidisciplinary care.

Upon the completion of this session:
• Learners will be able to educate patients regarding management of COPD across the lifespan and continuum of care
• Learners will be able to understand the intersection of nutrition and lung disease
• Learners will be able to understand the pathophysiology of COPD
• Learners will be able to utilize airway clearance techniques to assist patients with COPD
• Learners will be able to utilize and apply frailty and outcome measures to address impairments in COPD

Presented by

Jordan Goodman, PT, DPT, CCS. Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy

Jordan attended Northeastern University in Boston, where she graduated with her B.S. in Rehabilitation Sciences and Doctorate in Physical Therapy. After graduation, she completed the Cincinnati VA Medical Center’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Residency as their inaugural resident, graduating in 2023. Jordan now works as an acute care ICU Physical Therapist at the Boston VA Healthcare System, helping to advance practice by creating their early mobility program in the ICU and developing their organ transplant and LVAD programs. She has presented at the Ohio APTA Spring Conference, the APTA of Massachusetts Annual Conference, Combined Sections Meeting as part of a platform presentation, and at the Academy of CVP Fall Conference. She became a board-certified clinical specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in 2024. Jordan is passionate about ICU mobility, acute care, and education.