FALLS CHURCH, Va.   –   Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key role in developing and updating clinical practice guidelines across the military and veteran health care systems.

The Defense Health Agency and Veterans Health Administration are seeking volunteers for an upcoming patient focus group about COPD on Friday, Oct. 17 at noon ET. This focus group will help inform updates to a COPD clinical practice guideline.

“Clinical practice guidelines help standardize the way clinicians treat medical conditions,” said U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Margaret Rincon, Chief, Clinical Quality Improvement, at the Defense Health Agency. “Your feedback is valuable and would help craft the best evidence-based care pathway to treat service members and veterans for years to come.”

The focus group will meet virtually and last about two hours. It requires nine volunteers. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. ET.

Participation requirements

• You must have a COPD diagnosis or be the caregiver of a person diagnosed with COPD.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You or the person you care for gets most of the care for this condition at a military hospital or clinic.

What to expect

During the virtual session, you’ll discuss your experiences in a small group led by a facilitator.

You’ll have the opportunity to review and comment on the final draft of the treatment guidelines. Note that the guideline won’t include any personally identifiable information.

How to register

Are you interested in signing up? Do you have more questions? Email the DHA CPG Group Mailbox at dha.ncr.medical-affairs.mbx.cqi-cpg@health.mil. Please indicate that you’re interested in the COPD focus group in your subject line.

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