5 Education recommendations
The guideline also includes education recommendations, statements of educational requirements and approaches/ strategies for the introduction, implementation and sustainability of the best practice guideline. The education recommendation as outlined in the best practice guideline states that nurses working with individuals with dyspnea related COPD will have the appropriate knowledge and skills to: recognize the importance of individual’s self report of dyspnea, provide COPD patient education and conduct appropriate referrals to physician and community resources. Recommendations pertaining to patient education include: smoking cessation strategies, pulmonary rehabilitation, secretion clearance strategies, breathing retraining strategies, energy conserving strategies, relaxation techniques and nutritional strategies and end-of-life care. The following section will include discussion regarding various aspects of COPD patient education