Report on Community Engagement Activity: COPD Awareness Initiative – 2020

Introduction

A key recommendation for transforming Nursing education for the future calls for preparing nurses to work with diverse populations in community settings. The integration of community engagement learning experiences in Nursing education promotes a commitment to social responsibility and service. Learning experiences in community settings provide nursing students opportunities to adapt to and reconcile differences in life with ambiguity while working toward common goals. Experiential learning increases capacity to become more effective in providing nursing care to diverse population and communities; ultimately contributing to reduced health disparities and improved population health.

With this purpose in view, the 7^th Semester and 3^rd Semester students of College of Nursing, Gulf Medical University organized a Community Engagement Activity COPD Awareness’ keeping in the mind the increasing number of patients suffering with various lung conditions, and also to keep themselves in tandem with the World COPD day.

To arrive at the topic and venue for the community engagement activity, nursing faculty and the undergraduate students conducted focus group meetings with the Dean, CON and other stake holders to explore community views on what is an imperative need as perceived by the community. This led to the understanding that the current climatic condition of UAE, along with the COVID 19 Pandemic, has opened an avenue of many unanswered questions. Therefore, the students identified, that a half day spent with in the OPD of Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman would give an ample opportunity for the students to sensitize and create awareness for the patients and family members visiting the OPD.

Planning Phase

The COPD Awareness Community Engagement plan was initiated.. The initial plan included poster presentations, and a plan to demonstrate Breathing exercises. However, keeping in mind the constraints of COIVD 19; a video demonstration was prepared instead. Upon discussion with experts, it was decided to add stations on demonstrating proper use of inhalers; a spot pack year calculation; and a risk assessment survey was also added as part of the activities.

Implementation

The COPD Awareness Community Engagement Program was scheduled to be held on 17^th December, 2020, in the OPD Foyer, 1^st floor of Thumbay University Hospital. Keeping the average foot-fall timings, the timing was scheduled to be between 1 pm – 4 pm in order to cover maximum public.

The program was inaugurated by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, Gulf Medical University, Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor- Academics, Gulf Medical University,  Dr. Fozi Abozaid Dakilah, Medical Director, Thumbay University Hospital, Prof. Selva Titus Chacko, Dean, College of Nursing, Gulf Medical University &Dr. Manvir Singh Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Thumbay University Hospital  presided over the event. The event was declared open with a ribbon cutting and a with a few words of felicitations by the dignitaries. The students invited to dignitaries to each station and explained on the risk factors of COPD, signs and symptoms, treatment & prevention of COPD.

The students were actively involved in inviting patients and relatives from various OPD’s to the various stations. Height and weight were checked. Consented participants were encouraged to fill a Risk assessment survey on COPD.  Anyone who agreed to being a smoker or a past-smoker, a spot calculation of pack years was done; where they could see their pack years, and the risk for developing lung disorders. Further they were advised to consult a doctor, to undergo an assessment, especially with the presence of any respiratory symptoms.

Activities

1. Poster presentation –
   1. Risk factors of COPD
   2. Signs and Symptoms of COPD
   3. Prevention of COPD
2. Video Demonstration
   1. Breathing Exercises
   2. Body positions to reduce breathlessness
3. Spot Calculation of Pack years
4. Calculation of BMI
5. Questionnaire on prevalence of Lung conditions
6. Demonstration – Proper use of various MDI’S

Conclusion

The Community Engagement event was held with the principle of “Giving back to Society”, in order to create awareness, and as a learning session for the students themselves. Patients/Relatives who visited the posters, and watched videos were confident in expressing their understanding of breathing exercises. E.g., A medical tourism patient was very impressed and verbalized his appreciation stating that though he had been using inhalers for the past 10 years; he was not fully aware of the correct method of using it, as much as he has understood it clearly by the demonstration of the students. Another patient who was a smoker, said that though he was aware of the harmful effects of smoking; he did not know about the cumulative effect; which was demonstrated by calculation of pack years.

Approximately 170 visitors attended the event which included, patients, relatives, staff, faculty, dignitaries, students of other colleges, and other visitors.

120 patients and relatives participated in the survey.

Event Highlights: [View Gallery]