Become a Patient

Adult Patient Education Class Descriptions and Schedule

Patient education classes are an important part of your experience at National Jewish Health. The classes will give you and your family the information and tools to manage your disease.

Plan to attend classes during your evaluation at National Jewish Health. The patient education classes are free for patients and family members.

Patient Education classes meet in the Patient Education Room A203. The classroom is located on the second floor of the Galter Clinic across from the main lobby. If you have additional questions, please call: Ann Mullen, RN, MSN, AE-C, Patient Education Coordiator at 303-398-1410

 Monday  Tools for  Fitness (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
  What is an exercise prescription? This class will review the components of an exercise prescription. The benefits of aerobic exercise for people with chronic lung disease and how to overcome obstacles that may affect an exercise program will also be discussed.
Managing Your Energy Everyday (3:00 - 3:45 p.m.)
This is a class to help people with lung disease be more productive and more satisfied with daily living. Everyday tasks including self-care, household chores, hobbies, and work can be made easier through instruction in energy management, proper breathing, and work simplification.
Tuesday Understanding Your Lung Disease and Testing (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
Understanding your lung disease is often helpful. The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system are reviewed in this class. A variety of lung diseases will be discussed. They include: asthma, COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Common testing to evaluate chronic lung disease will also be discussed.
Stress Management and Relaxation (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
This is a class to help people with chronic lung disease and their families learn to identify how muscle tension and mental stress disrupt the breathing process. Participants are instructed in various techniques to assist them in the relaxation process. These include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization skills, and the therapeutic use of hobbies.
What Makes Asthma Worse? (Pediatric and Adult) (12:30 - 2:00 p.m.)
What is happening in the lungs with asthma? What makes asthma worse? These are a number of questions that will be answered in this class. Irritants, allergens, infections, weather changes, exercise and gastroesophageal reflux will be discussed.
Nutrition and the Person With Lung Disease (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
This class discusses guidelines for optimal nutrition with chronic lung disease. Issues covered include special nutritional needs related to steroid therapy and chronic infection, weight control, bone health, and tips for using nutrition to enhance health.
Wednesday On the Go With Oxygen (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
The benefits of oxygen therapy for people with chronic lung disease will be reviewed. Current oxygen equipment to enhance your quality of life will also be discussed, including traveling with oxygen.
Learning About Osteoporosis (11:00 - 12:00 noon)
What should you know if you have osteoporosis? Learn what risk factors are and how to manage osteoporosis with diet, exercise, and medication.
Asthma Self-Management (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Monitoring asthma by assessing symptoms and using a peak flow meter will be discussed. The use of an Asthma Action Plan to manage asthma in a variety of situations will also be discussed.
Learning About Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) (3:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Learn about the importance of "Soak and Seal" in this class. Avoidance of things that make atopic dermatitis (eczema) worse, daily skin care, and managing worsening symptoms will be discussed.
Thursday Managing Your Lung Disease (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
What are the many aspects of managing chronic lung disease? Topics reviewed in class include an overview of treatment goals, the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding infections, medication therapy, oxygen therapy, breathing retraining, and techniques to bring up mucus.
Antibiotics for Mycobacterial and Other Lung Diseases (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon)
There are a variety of antibiotics that are used to treat mycobacterial disease. These medications and common side-effects will be discussed in this class.
Respiratory Medications (12:30 - 2:00 p.m.)
Correct medication technique is important. Techniques to inhale medication correctly will be discussed and demonstrated in this class. Respiratory medications and common side effects will be reviewed.
Tools for Giving-Up Smoking (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
If you're just thinking about giving up smoking or ready to set a quit date, this class is for you. This is an informative class that follows along with the Understanding Giving Up Smoking booklet. It will provide you with helpful, practical tools as you prepare to give up smoking.
Friday Sexuality and the Person with Lung Disease (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
This class describes human sexuality and the normal response to a sexual stimulus. Normal changes related to aging and problems related to chronic disease and respiratory conditions will be reviewed. Strategies to improve intimacy and sexual functioning will be discussed.
Coping With Illness (11:00 - 12:00 p.m.)
  This class will address what it feels like to have illness in your life. it will help you identify and address stressors that may be part of your illness process. It is also an open forum to connect with others who share similar experience.

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