Worth and colleagues were the first to describe the effectiveness of a program aimed at acquiring self-management skills and behavioral changes by patients with COPD. Unfortunately this pilot study was uncontrolled and studied only a small sample of patients (n= 21). Impressive reductions in the frequency of exacerbations and home visits by the family doctor were observed, but no changes in lung function were found. Several controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of COPD education and self-management education programs. This review was conducted to examine the impact of these programs on health outcomes and healthcare utilization.