C.O.P.E. – COPD Online Patient Education programme

This resource is an online educational course produced by Lung Foundation Australia to support patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their families and caregivers and anyone wanting to know more about the condition. The interactive course has 6 modules:

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

Each module takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. You can go at your own pace, and can start and stop at any point and return later.

The programme covers key aspects of COPD, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. It explores how to manage COPD flare-ups, the importance of using inhalers correctly, and understanding the role of different inhalers and medications. You'll also learn about the benefits of exercise, how to stay safe while being active, and the role of pulmonary rehabilitation. The course also addresses breathlessness – its causes, management strategies and when to seek help. The last module highlights the impact of COPD on mental wellbeing, offering tips for self-care and support.

In addition to offering valuable information, the course encourages you to actively manage all aspects of your COPD treatment, such as staying up-to-date with vaccinations, maintaining a current COPD action plan, quitting smoking, and regularly checking your inhaler technique.

For the complete programme description, go to the course website(external link), or, for a more detailed review, see Reviews.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Emma Riddell, Clinical Pharmacist, Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora
Date of review: April 2025
Platform: Computer
Comments: I found this course to be a wonderful resource that would benefit all patients with COPD, regardless of whether you are newly diagnosed or have had COPD for a long time. 
It covers a wide range of content and it explains everything in a way that's easy to understand. All the information provided is in written format and is also narrated, so if you find it easier to listen to information rather than read, you'll still be able to get all the information provided in this course. 
The course starts by covering information explaining what COPD is, including diagnosis, what types of tests might be done, symptoms, and what a flare-up is. The following 5 modules provide information and advice on how to manage COPD, including information about inhalers/medications, as well as advice on a range of topics such as exercise, sleep, stopping smoking, and mental wellbeing.
In addition to the high quality information provided throughout each module, there are also prompts to take action with your GP (eg, checking your vaccination status, ensuring you have an up-to-date COPD action plan etc).  
At the end of each module there are links to trusted resources for further information. While these are mainly Australian-based resources (eg, Lung Foundation Australia), they provide high quality information and resources, such as videos on proper inhaler technique, and a downloadable COPD action plan to complete with your GP.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes
Concerns: Contact numbers provided throughout the course are all Australian based.