November 15th was World COPD Day, a day to raise awareness of the fourth leading cause of death in Canada. COPD continues to be a misunderstood disease and patients need to know how they can take charge of this condition and know what to do if they suffer an attack or exacerbation of respiratory difficulties.

A study, published in the October 2006 issue of the Canadian Respirology Journal was the first to examine the patient’s perspective of a COPD action plan.

• Dr. Roger Goldstein, respirologist at West Park Healthcare Centre Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto