Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ranks as one of the major causes of disability in the Philippines today. The natural history of COPD, namely emphysema and chronic bronchitis, causes progressive irreparable structural pulmonary damage and diminishes the cardio-respiratory reserves.  

            COPD is a disabling illness that affects not only the physical well-being of an individual, but his mental, emotional, socials and functional status as well. Reduced functional capacity frequently leads to vocation displacement.

The chronic nature of the disease and the costs involved in the treatment and follow-up of the patient’s condition places his family under undue stress.  


            It is apparent that patients with COPD have multiple problems, and they require hours of attention, education and training that no physician, however dedicated, can possibly spare due to a busy practice.  

            As a result, patients may be non compliant in using prescribed medications, causing dyspnea to progress and limiting their activities. The consequence is often a cycle of apprehension, fear and increasing inactivity.

             Although the COPD rehabilitation program is aimed at providing good comprehensive respiratory care to alleviate the symptoms of respiratory impairment, health education remains to be a powerful tool in helping the patient gain the motivation and develop the skill to improve functional ability and prevent problems that undermine functional skills. Through education, the patient achieves the optimal capability to carry out his activities in daily life.

            The patient's health education involves helping the patient understand his condition, learn how to prevent symptoms while carrying out everyday tasks, develop the skills to manage episodes of breathlessness, and adopt measures to prevent problems. It builds his confidence that he can, indeed, control his disease and accomplish his daily activities.

             Patient education also involves helping the patient with the resources necessary to adhere to the prescribed treatment, thereby strengthening the resolve of the patient and his family to implement appropriate COPD management.

             As such, the Lung Center of the Philippines has thought it relevant to organize a COPD Support Group to educate and train COPD patients and to assist them in their needs.

            The general objective of the program is to establish for COPD patients a support group at the Lung Center of the Philippines .

    Its specific objectives are:

●         To educate COPD patients and their relatives on the features and management of their condition;
●         To train patients in developing the skills in achieving optimal capability for carrying out activities of daily living or being as productive as they can be;
●         To assist patients in their needs related to their disease;
●         To offer counseling in order to relieve patients from the stigma of their condition and the limitations that COPD poses to their lifestyle;
●         To provide a system of mutual support and social activities among its members
●         To serve the public information and dissemination regarding COPD 

10 Years of the COPD Support Group Program    

1989

– A study on COPD patients at the Lung Center of the Philippines conducted by Dr. Albert Santos revealed the benefits of a Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

1993

– A Committee was organized by LCP Director Dr. Calixto A. Zaldivar, Jr. to develop the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for COPD patients of the Lung Center.

1994

– The COPD SUPPORT GROUP was launched on January 24, 1994 during the 12th Anniversary Celebration of the LCP. The first batch of the COPD Support Group Program began with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on February 1, 1994. It had 11 members.

1995

–A prospective study documented significant improvements in the Quality of Life measurements of COPD patients who underwent the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program of the COPD Support Group. The first General Assembly of all COPD Support Group participants was held in April of this year.

1997

– Another study using the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire showed the improvements in Health Related Quality of Life of patients enrolled in the COPD Support Group. By December 1997, 26 batches (180 individuals) of the COPD Support Group completed the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

1998

– Lung Center Fire. On May 8, 1998, flames burned down major portions of the Lung Center of the Philippines. All hospital programs were temporarily stopped. Batch 28 was the last batch to complete the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in April 1998 at the old Lung Center Building.

1999

- The COPD Support Group Program resumed. From June 1 to 24, 3 participants of Batch 29 completed their Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. The COPD Support Group was among the first hospital programs to resume after the fire.

2001

– The Section of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation moved to the new Lung Center Building in December. The COPD Support Group Annual Christmas gathering was held on December 18, 2001 at the New Audiovisual Room of the Lung Center. This marks the first activity of the COPD Support Group since the 1998 fire. It was held in the rebuilt Lung Center building.

2002

- Batch 40 of the COPD Support Group, the first to complete the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in the reconstructed Lung Center building, produces 4 new graduates and 5 caregivers.

2003  

- A study on the BORG Rate of Exertion Scale, translated from English to Filipino, was conducted among members of the COPD Support Group.  The COPD Support Group actively participated in the World COPD Day Celebrations.

2004

– The COPD Support Group celebrates its 10^th Year Anniversary.