Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

2 min read

C.O.P.E Online Patient Education

Anyone can be diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even people who have never smoked. About 1 in 10 Australians with COPD have never smoked. COPD is the fourth biggest cause of death worldwide. Smoking is a major cause of COPD, but other things can cause it too.

Welcome to COPD Online Patient Education

COPD stands for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung conditions that make it hard to breathe. COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. If you or someone you care about has COPD, this free online course can help you understand COPD and how to manage it. It provides easy-to-read information, helpful tips and support to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with COPD for a while, this course can help feel more in control of your health.

The 6 interactive modules cover

  1. What is COPD?
  2. Staying well
  3. COPD medicines
  4. Exercise
  5. Managing breathlessness
  6. Looking after your mental wellbeing

Enrol today and take the first step towards living better with COPD!

Complete the form below to access the free online course.

Name(Required)
I have COPD (this includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma)
I am a carer for someone with COPD
I am a HP
Other

By completing this form, you consent to your information being collected, used and disclosed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Data Collection Statement.

Who is C.O.P.E for?

The COPD Online Patient Education course is for anyone who wants to learn more about COPD. This includes people who have COPD, their family members or caregivers, and anyone who wants to understand the condition better. Whether you are new to COPD or just looking for more information, this course can help you learn and manage your health. It can also be useful for people who can’t attend a pulmonary rehabilitation program in their local area.

What will I learn?

Over 6 modules, you will learn:
– What COPD is
– COPD symptoms
– How COPD is diagnosed
– Treatments for COPD
– COPD flare-ups
– Steps to follow to help you stay well
– The different types of COPD medicines
– The importance of using your inhaler the right way
– Questions to ask about your medicines
– How exercise can help COPD
– How to exercise safely
– What pulmonary rehabilitation is and how it can help
– What to do if you feel breathless when exercising
– What causes breathlessness
– What to do when you’re feeling out of breath
– Steps you can take to help with breathlessness
– How COPD can affect your mental wellbeing
– What you can do to take care of your mental wellbeing
– When to get help.

Do I have to complete the course in one go or can I work through it at my own pace?

The COPD Online Patient Education course has 6 modules, and each one takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. In total, the course may take between 2 to 3 hours. You work through each module at your own pace, so you can finish the course in a way that fits your schedule. Take your time to go through the lessons and learn at a comfortable pace for you!

Will I have to do any tests or assessments?

There are no tests or assessments in this course. Instead, there are simple activities to help you learn and plan for any changes you are thinking of making.

How much does it cost?

The course is free.

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Last updated on March 16th, 2026 at 10:25 am

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