5 ways respiratory therapists can maximize COPD outcomes

Knowledge is power. And, when it comes to COPD, RTs have a lot of it. In fact, they are in prime position to deliver critical information to patients and care team peers to keep patients at the heart of every clinical decision. This is why RTs should continue to take charge in each care setting.

RTs are always on the front lines of COPD care. That’s why it’s vital for them to see the complete picture of care, anticipate future challenges and act quickly. However, RTs can’t always see everything. For this reason, they need to enact a care team network to inform them of key developments across time and locations. This will enable them to make any necessary adjustments to a patient’s care plan and help set them on a path for treatment success. Therefore, RTs need to take the first step to opening this larger world of information.

What’s the key to RTs truly understanding what their patients need from their treatment? Listening—actively. This technique allows RTs to understand their patients’ challenges and desires more deeply, so they can thoughtfully recommend the right solutions and strategies. Active listening involves hearing what patients are saying, summarizing their problems and validating their feelings by responding with empathy. Overall, it allows RTs to help patients feel understood.

For some patients, talking about COPD is not always easy. Patients who were once active may be embarrassed by the fact that their disease has led them to a mostly sedentary lifestyle. That’s why keeping the lines of communication open is a critical component to maximizing outcomes. No matter what the case, it’s up to RTs to start the conversation and set attainable goals.

To treat non-surface level issues and get to underlying causes of a patient’s COPD, RTs need to relate to and empathize with their patients on a deeper level. This means understanding their family dynamics, social issues and psychological comorbidities that may interfere with their treatment.³ 

For example, dig deeper into topics such as whether the patient has money for food, is living in clean conditions, has healthy relationships, is dealing with psychiatric issues, has access to transportation, etc. By uncovering these issues, RTs and patients can have a better relationship while setting the stage for better outcomes.