Gaining Control of Your Health
A 2-Day Virtual Event
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
1:00 p.m. CST–4:15 p.m. CST
&
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
1:00 p.m. CST–4:30 p.m. CST
(25-minute lectures + 5 minutes for Q&A)
You will be required to sign in with a Zoom, Apple, Google, or Facebook account to register. You may create a free Zoom account when registering.
Are you a respiratory patient or a caregiver for a loved one? Then join the movement and attend our Annual AARC Respiratory Patient Advocacy Summit meeting, which will be held virtually. The AARC invites all respiratory therapists AND their patients and caregivers to join this annual meeting to advocate for advancing the quality of care for chronic respiratory patients. This event is designed for patients and caregivers and is not approved for CRCE.
Registered attendees will receive a copy of A Patient’s Guide to Aerosol Medication Delivery — 4th Edition on June 9.
Day 1 Schedule — Tuesday, June 13
1:00 p.m. CST–1:10 p.m. CST
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Doug Laher MBA, RRT, CAE, CMP, FAARC
1:10 p.m.–1:20 p.m. CST
National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award
Sharman Lamka, Executive Director; FACES Foundation
Objectives:
- Provide an overview of the FACES Foundation, how it was founded, its purpose and mission.
- Discuss collaboration between the AARC and FACES for the Patient Advocacy Award.
- Provide a brief background on the 2022 winner, their bio, and why they won.
1:20 p.m.–1:25 p.m. CST
2022 Winner: National Respiratory Advocacy Award
Cheryl Skinner MSc, RRT, CPFT, AE-C
1:25 p.m.–1:35 p.m. CST
Patient Story
1:35 p.m.–2:05 p.m. CST
Adding Oxygen to Your Life
Kim Wiles BS, RRT, CPFT, FAARC
Objectives:
- Identify the differences in home oxygen equipment.
- Discuss use of pulse oximetry monitoring.
- Understand safe use of oxygen in the home.
2:05 p.m.–2:15 p.m. CST
Break
2:15 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CST
5 things you need to know about COPD Medications
Mary Hart MS, RRT, AE-C, FAARC, FCCP
Objectives:
- Review common medications prescribed for COPD.
- Explain the different types of medication delivery devices.
- Define “Shared Decision-Making”.
2:45 p.m.–2:55 p.m. CST
Patient Story
2:55 p.m.–3:25 p.m. CST
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Get Up & Move!
Debbie Koehl, MS, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC
Patients with lung disease often feel frustrated about their breathing and limitations. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that can help you! This talk will allow you to learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation and the benefits of joining a program.
Objectives:
- Discuss the benefits of attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
- Describe how to enroll in a pulmonary rehab program.
3:25 p.m.–3:35 p.m. CST
Interactive Session — Breathing Techniques/Movement for the Respiratory Patient
Debbie Koehl MS, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC
3:35 p.m.–4:05 p.m. CST
Ask Dr. Brian
Brian Carlin, MD
Attendees will be able to ask Dr. Carlin any question they may have regarding their respiratory disease/illness.
4:05 p.m.–4:15 p.m. CST
Closing Remarks
Doug Laher MBA, RRT, FAARC
Day 2 Schedule — Wednesday, June 14
1:00 p.m. CST–1:05 p.m. CST
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Doug Laher MBA, RRT, CAE, CMP, FAARC
1:05 p.m.–1:35 p.m. CST
I’m a Caregiver; Now What?
Mandy De Vries, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
Join me on my journey from family member to caregiver as I share my experience navigating the complexities of caregiving.
Objectives:
- To empower caregivers with strategies for success.
- Tips for managing your caregiver role.
- Prioritizing self-care.
1:35 p.m.–1:45 p.m. CST
Patient Story
1:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m. CST
Empowering Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Benefits of Legal Preparation
Anthony DeWitt JD, RRT, FAARC
I will discuss end-of-life issues related to planning for health care decisions and avoiding the complications that come from loved ones having different perspectives on what healthcare should be done. Living wills, durable health care power of attorney, and guardianships will be discussed.
Objectives:
- Understand the difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney.
- Understand how to limit the discretion of your health care agent.
2:15 p.m.–2:35 p.m. CST
Break — Chair Yoga
Julia O’Shea, BA, RRT
2:35 p.m.–3:05 p.m. CST
Long COVID: Is it Here to Stay?
Dave Burnett, Ph.D., RRT
It’s well documented that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise capacity, quality of life, and dyspnea in people with chronic lung diseases. The American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society recommend using a framework of PR for treating people with Long-Covid. However, access to PR is poor. Improving the lives of people with chronic lung disease and Long-Covid requires an understanding of the evidence. This lecture will explain the most recent evidence-based guidelines on PR, with an emphasis on improving access to care.
Objectives:
- Discuss the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of Long COVID.
- Understand treatment strategies for Long COVID.
3:05 p.m.–3:15 p.m. CST
Patient Story
3:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m. CST
Tips for Becoming Your Own Health Advocate
Krystal Craddock, MSRC, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, AE-C, CCM
From pharmacy interactions to durable medical equipment and clinic or hospital visits, patients and family often rely on themselves to understand what is happening and what they need. But where do you start and what should you ask? This lecture will help provide you with tools to better advocate for you and your family’s healthcare to better manage the disease and get the best care necessary.
Objectives:
- Be able to formulate questions to ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist to better understand the plan of care.
- Be able to recall how to keep track of your own medical information.
- Understand basics of health insurance including different types and billing aspects.
3:45 p.m.–4:15 p.m. CST
Palliative Care: What It Is, What It’s Not, and How It Can Help
Josh Arenth, MD
An introduction and overview of what palliative care is and debunking of common misconceptions with focus on potential benefits for patients with respiratory disease.
Objectives:
- Define palliative care.
- Differentiate palliative care and hospice.
- Identify appropriate patient populations who could benefit from palliative care.
- Identify ways palliative care can help patients with respiratory disease.
- Initiate the first steps in advance care planning discussions.
4:15 p.m.–4:30 p.m. CST
Closing Remarks
Doug Laher MBA, RRT, FAARC
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
