Workshop 101 - Breathing Life Into Inhaler Education: A CRE’s Perspective

In theory, the use of each inhalation device seems relatively straightforward, as it only comprises a limited number of steps. However, due to the plethora of devices, considerable confusion among patients and healthcare professionals exists about their use. As CRE’s we understand just how critical medication technique and adherence are to our patients’ quality of life and disease management. We recognize how crucial it is to match the inhalation device with the characteristics and wishes of an individual patient. The respiratory market was competitive before the pandemic started, and it has become even more challenging over the past 1.5 years. This has increased the pressure on CREs to know everything and anything related to lung health including the latest treatment options, while balancing very busy clinics and continuous changes to guidelines.

This interactive, hands-on workshop will focus on the core competencies and key messages on client education for new medications, including single inhaler triple therapy (SITT), biologics, along with older therapies. Following Canadian Guidelines, we will review where these new therapies fall on the Continuum of Care. Utilizing placebos, participants will have the opportunity to handle all the available devices on the market and engage with the facilitator so they will feel confident in education and assisting patients to choose the right device upon returning to their clinics. At the conclusion of the workshop a Q&A session will be held. 

Learning Objectives

• Review the role of the inhaler in optimizing the management of Asthma and COPD, consideration of technique (critical errors), dosing, and inspiratory flow
• Explain the different inhalers available, have the skills necessary to demonstrate proper device technique to patients, and to understand the importance of adherence and compliance
• Discuss the latest evidence supporting the use of single inhaler triple therapy (SITT)

Facilitator:

Ellen Fleming-Michaud RRT CRE has over 20 years of experience in both acute, critical, and primary care settings. Ellen is passionate about lung health and a strong advocate for her clients. Ellen has a diverse background and has provided Asthma & COPD education, spirometry testing, smoking cessation counselling, and pulmonary rehab maintenance services to patients living in rural, remote areas of Renfrew County.

Ellen is currently the Interim Lung Health Coordinator with ConnectWell Community Health.  Although she is currently not participating in direct patient care, she brings her years of experience, wealth of knowledge, and passion, to mentor her colleagues while working on expanding the program.

Workshop 102 - They Say They’re Exercising, But Are They Really? Measuring Fitness In Small Office Settings (And Even Virtually!)

We all know that exercise is a critical component in COPD self-management. Unfortunately, the number of spots available for pulmonary rehab fall well short of the number of number of spots required to meet the needs of those with COPD in Canada.  CREs are often limited to encouraging our COPD population to exercise at home, or perhaps at a local gym or community-based exercise program, and trusting that our COPD population is diligently following our advice and getting their exercise.

How do we know our COPD population is exercising?  How do we know our COPD population is improving with exercise?

The Gold Standard exercise measurement for COPD continues to be the 6 Minute Walk Test (6 MWT).  While the test has standardized guidelines and is easy to perform, finding enough space to complete this test is a challenge, especially for those CREs tucked into a small office space at the back of the clinic. 

Angie and Elyssa, from the St. Mary’s General Hospital Activation Program, will share with you the fitness measurements that they collect before and after Activation Program participation. They will also briefly look at the many other measurements that could be considered based on your program space and program needs. These measurements can be done in small spaces, require minimal equipment, and require minimal training to conduct. Be prepared to move!  Workshop participants will have the opportunity to measure their own fitness levels. We will test ourselves in person, but you will also learn how testing can be done virtually!  We will then take the measurement results and briefly discuss how this information is used to encourage exercise needs including intensity (BORG scale) and types (Aerobic vs Strengthening).

Learning Objectives

1. Review the importance and impact of Aerobic, Muscle Strengthening and Flexibility exercise for those with lung disease
2. Demonstrate exercise testing to assess Aerobic endurance, muscle strength and flexibility, how to compare results to normative values, and how to use the results to motivate change

Angie Shaw RRT CRE has been an RRT since 2000 and a Certified Respiratory Educator since 2005. She has presented to her CNRC colleagues for several years. Angie started her CRE career in Alberta, working with the Calgary COPD and Asthma Team before moving to St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario, where she has coordinated the Activation program since 2007. Activation is a brief self-management education and exercise program for people with lung disease.

Elyssa Mountain RKin CRE is a new educator, receiving her certification in November 2022. Elyssa became a Registered Kinesiologist in 2015. She is experienced in getting people moving, having worked in Back to Work programming, and now in the Activation Program. She uses her behaviour change skills regularly to motivate people to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Workshop 103 - When They Say Quitting Is Killing Me, Maybe They’re Right: Managing Medication During Smoking Cessation

As educators counselling tobacco cessation, we work with our clients to problem solve barriers to success, e.g. withdrawal symptoms, cravings. But, for some of our clients, the change in serum concentrations of their medication, or other products, during the quit attempt cause resurgence of illness, cause side effects with symptoms that mimic withdrawal. At times, these effects can be unbearable and doom the quit attempt to fail. As an educator, knowing what agents need to be adjusted and what recommendations are required, can provide another layer of support on a successful journey to smoke free living.

In this workshop you will be reintroduced to the effects of tobacco smoke on metabolism and its effect on the metabolism of pharmacotherapies and other substances through a brief presentation. This will be followed by an interactive case-based exploration of the effect of smoking cessation on individuals who are taking medications to manage their chronic health issues. 

Learning Objectives

• Identify the common medications that are affected by tobacco smoke.
• Identify the day-to-day substances affected by tobacco smoke.
• Recognize the symptoms that may occur due to changes in serum levels with smoking cessation.
• Recommend a change in therapy for individuals who plan to quit smoking, resume smoking or have recently begun to smoke.
• Develop next steps for your workplace to manage pharmacotherapy during smoking cessation or resumption.

Facilitators:

Jamil Ramji BSP ACPR PharmD CTE is a pharmacist and health promotion facilitator with Alberta Health Services’ provincial Tobacco Vaping and Cannabis Program. Based in Edmonton AB, Jamil’s clinical pharmacy experience ranges from hospital to primary care and community practice settings, assisting clients with their tobacco cessation goals that align with their journey in the healthcare system. With support from the Alberta Medical Association and College of Family Physicians of Canada, Jamil coordinated the development and publication of the 2018 Simplified Guidelines for Prescribing Medical Cannabinoids in Primary Care and it’s accompanying systematic review in the peer-reviewed medical journal, Canadian Family Physician. Delivering workshops that build capacity for Alberta’s healthcare professionals and their clients helps inform Jamil’s work in healthy public policy, promoting public health recommendations that facilitate prevention, harm reduction, and sustainable behaviour change interventions. To expand reach of health promotion activities with diverse populations, Jamil serves as Board Member for His Highness the Aga Khan Health Board for Canada, guiding interdisciplinary teams across Canada to deliver sustainable evidence-based programming and increase access to health services that maximize the health potential of a faith-based community.

Andrea White Markham RRT CRE CTE has almost 50 years-experience as a respiratory therapist. Andrea is mostly retired and selects to share her knowledge and experiences when the opportunity is one that excites or challenges her. As a respiratory therapist, Andrea has worked in almost every area of the field and most areas of Canada.

As a CRE, Andrea has developed and delivered a number of programs to prepare respiratory health professionals to challenge the CNRC exam, including the Michener Institute's Asthma Education program, the first such program in Canada. As a CTE, she was involved in the development and delivery of the CNRC Foundational Health Education and Tobacco Education workbooks and programs. She continues to promote cardio-respiratory health through her volunteer work with the CNRC as the Director, Education on the Board of Directors; RTSO Community RT Committee & Leadership Committee, and CSRT as a reviewer for the CJRT. Her volunteer work also includes supporting the work of the Madoc Foodbank and sitting on the Board of Directors of the Central Hastings Support Network that aims at developing lasting solutions to poverty for our catchment area.

Workshop 104 - Under The Covers: Sleep’s Vital Role In Both The Development & Management Of Respiratory Disease

We've been told that poorly controlled asthma can lead to poor sleep quality leading to reduced quality of life.  There is emerging research indicating that this relationship is bidirectional.  Provocative research suggests that poor sleep quality can lead to the  development of asthma.  Come discuss the association and implications for educational interventions. 

During this interactive workshop, the learner will interact with information discussing how sleep deprivation affects lung and immune function. Information will be shared through didactic presentation and discussion of cases. Participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts, questions and experiences. The workshop will culminate with next steps for CREs and CTEs related to facilitating good sleeping routines for their clients. 

Learning Objectives

 By participating in the discussion, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify how poor sleep can be a contributing factor to suboptimal asthma control.
2. Recognize the bidirectional association of sleep and asthma prevalence and symptoms 
3. Discuss the impact of sleep on COPD and COPD on sleep
4. Recognize the impact of sleep on vaccine effectiveness. 

Melva Bellefountaine RRT CRE has more than 40 years' experience in coordinating the development and delivery of respiratory educational programs for health care professionals and patients living with chronic respiratory disease. She is a published author and past guest presenter on healthcare education, training, and communications at both regional and national forums and conferences. With a Bachelor of Education degree combined with her experience as a respiratory educator her passion has always been to improve and challenge the status quo in how we deliver patient education to families. “Lifelong learning is about listening closely to patients and learning how to be a better educator”.

Workshop 201 - COPD Management: It’s Not Just The Drugs!

This informative and interactive workshop will focus on non-pharmacological management of COPD, including two essential topics: Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices and managing Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

Participants will be introduced to Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices, an innovative and evidence-based treatment option for COPD patients. Topics will cover the principles behind OPEP devices, their mechanism of action, and the physiological benefits they offer in managing COPD symptoms. Interactive demonstrations and case studies will be used to reinforce understanding and provide practical insights on the integration of OPEP devices within COPD management plans.

We will also delve into the identification, diagnosis, and therapeutic considerations for individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Specific emphasis will be placed on personalized treatment approaches, lifestyle modifications, and patient education techniques essential for effective management.

Throughout the workshop, participants will have ample opportunities to network, exchange experiences, and explore potential collaborations. Attendees will leave the workshop with a comprehensive understanding of non-pharmacological interventions for COPD management, including the utilization of OPEP devices and strategies to address Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop confidence in assessing patient suitability for OPEP devices, device usage, and monitoring therapy outcomes.
2. Explore strategies to identify and manage Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Facilitators:

Kathy Hayward BSP CDE CRE CTE has recently retired from the Calgary COPD & Asthma Program. The CREs and CTEs  in the Calgary COPD & Asthma Program work in outpatient respiratory clinics, educating other health professionals, in group tobacco cessation classes, and in community clinics – collaborating with family physicians and other professionals. Kathy finds her most interesting discussions with clients are about things outside mainstream health care ­– what people are doing with treatments and how they make decisions between appointments.

Cindy Slack RRT CRE CTE is an Education Consultant with the Calgary COPD & Asthma Program (CCAP) for Alberta Health Services. She also works casually for the Tobacco, Vaping and Cannabis Program as a Health Promotion Facilitator, providing Quit Core group sessions with clients to help support reducing or quitting tobacco and vaping. She facilitates applied tobacco intervention and foundational health education for other healthcare professionals wanting to obtain their CRE and CTE designations.

Cindy graduated from Respiratory Therapy in Winnipeg and has worked in acute care in Vancouver and Toronto. In Calgary, she has worked in the operating room, pulmonary function labs and as a research coordinator for Respiratory clinical trials. Cindy has 16 years of experience working in specialty outpatient clinics with respirologists, community clinics, and family physician clinics offering health promotion, self-management with behavioural change and chronic disease management for clients with asthma, COPD, and tobacco reduction. She has been a core committee team member of the Medicine Strategic Clinical Network and co-author of the role of the respiratory therapy profession in primary care. She offers tobacco reduction presentations to pulmonary fellows and medical students.

Cindy completed her degree in BHSc in 2023 at TRU, where she focused on leadership, teamwork in organizations, project management, organization development and change, issues in healthcare, and health policy. Cindy finds that being an educator allows her to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to offer mentorship and share her knowledge to help our clients live their best lives.

Workshop 202 - Why Failing To Find The Why And Fix The Why Is Why We Fail: Unmasking The Complex Connection Between Mental Health And Achieving Health Goals

While addressing the chronic respiratory health needs of clients is straightforward and provides good outcomes for both the educator and client, this is not always the case when clients are faced with comorbidities related to mental health. Recognizing the intricate relationship between our clients’ mental health and their ability to achieve health goals is essential to the delivery of tailored education and support.

This workshop aims to provide healthcare practitioners with a comprehensive exploration of the often-overlooked connection between mental health and physical health outcomes/positive behaviour change experience gained through real-world cases. By participating in a wide-ranging open discussion that seek to answer the following questions

• What is the interplay between mental health disorders and respiratory health?
• How do we utilize a chronic disease management approach to facilitate improving the health of the whole patient?
• How do we uncover the ‘why’ behind patients’ struggles and address the root causes driving behaviour?
• What are key strategies to help clients ‘where they are’?

Learning Objectives:

• Discover the importance of taking a holistic approach integrating mental and physical health considerations in the creation of effective self-management plans.
• Develop practical strategies for addressing the mental health component of patient care.

Facilitators:

Ken Burns RPH BScPharm CDE CRE CTE is a pharmacist working at the Complex Care Diabetes Centre (CCDC) at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. The CCDC is one of several programs in Ontario to help people living with diabetes and multiple comorbidities. The program serves the population from Sudbury to the James Bay coast and the northern Ontario population and has one of the highest rates of respiratory disease and smoking in the country. Ken also works in outreach at the Wikwemikong Reserve on Manitoulin Island, assessing and case managing complex patients in underserviced areas.

Ken became interested in respiratory care when he saw that many of his diabetes clients were also smoking and had respiratory disease and realized the common factor was his client’s health behaviours. Ken was one of the authors of the Pfizer CATALYST smoking cessation pharmacist training program. He was very involved in the development of CNRC’s Certified Tobacco Educator program. He is the past Chair of the Ontario Pharmacists Association Board of Directors. Ken has participated and worked as a trainer and faculty for the Institute for Healthcare Communication - Canada.  Ken has participated and worked as a trainer and faculty for the Institute for Healthcare Communication - Canada. This has added to the clinical process from gathering more fulsome information from the patient to creating a format of assessment through recommendations to follow-up that not only engages the patient in decisions, but considers health behaviours as a driving component of outcomes.

Andrea White Markham RRT CRE CTE has almost 50 years-experience as a respiratory therapist. Andrea is mostly retired and selects to share her knowledge and experiences when the opportunity is one that excites or challenges her. As a respiratory therapist, Andrea has worked in almost every area of the field and most areas of Canada.

As a CRE, Andrea has developed and delivered a number of programs to prepare respiratory health professionals to challenge the CNRC exam, including the Michener Institute's Asthma Education program, the first such program in Canada. As a CTE, she was involved in the development and delivery of the CNRC Foundational Health Education and Tobacco Education workbooks and programs. She continues to promote cardio-respiratory health through her volunteer work with the CNRC as the Director, Education on the Board of Directors; RTSO Community RT Committee & Leadership Committee, and CSRT as a reviewer for the CJRT. Her volunteer work also includes supporting the work of the Madoc Foodbank and sitting on the Board of Directors of the Central Hastings Support Network that aims at developing lasting solutions to poverty for our catchment area.

Workshop 203 - Canada Café Mentor Session: A Facilitated Coffee Talk With Experienced CREs

Back due to popularity in 2019!

It’s not easy being a CRE.  It is even harder when you are new to the role, and are limited in your ability to connect with mentors.

This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to attend a facilitated coffee talk and mingle with educators from St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, ON. They will share experiences, strategies, case discussions, and best tips and tricks.  The workshop will assist respiratory educators in making connections.  See it as an in-person Timed-Right Discussion.  Participants will have the opportunity to seek guidance on challenges they are having in their roles.

Who should attend?

This is for new educators, and those who identify as mentors.  Come share your queries, knowledge and experience!  Celebrate the W’s!

Facilitators:

Amy Massie RRT CRE has worked in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph area for 23 years. She divides her time between the onsite Airway Clinic at St. Mary’s and various primary care partnerships including The Guelph CHC, University of Waterloo Health Services, Langs CHC. 

Amy has partnered with the Lung Association/Lung Health Foundation on various Asthma, COPD, and Spirometry education programming for Healthcare Professionals, and the public. 

Adrienne Racher BSc RRT CRE has been practicing for over 25 years in Ontario and Alberta. She has been providing Asthma and COPD education as a CRE in the hospital and primary care settings since 2012. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and especially watching from the sidelines as her daughter plays ringette and soccer.

Workshop 204 - Paediatric Asthma Guidelines Update: Diagnostic, Management And Education Considerations For Children Under The Age Of 6 Years

As a chronic inflammatory airways disease, asthma is the leading cause of Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations for the preschool age group. It is also the number one cause of school absenteeism with an enormous economic impact on the healthcare system, and lost workdays for parents. Prior to the “Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) 2012 guideline update: Diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers, children and adults”, there was a lack of evidence-based guidance for asthma care in the preschool population.  In 2021, CTS updated this guideline with changes to both diagnostic and asthma control criteria, asthma management, and the inclusion of recommended asthma education for each patient visit.

This workshop will focus on a review of current guidelines and resources for the diagnosis and management, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, of asthma in preschoolers and young children, from a multidisciplinary paediatric asthma clinic perspective. Participants will increase their knowledge and skills in assessing paediatric asthma control, asthma management guidance for children and families, risk factors associated with severe exacerbation. They will also practice filling out asthma action plans for their patients.

Following a brief review of current guidelines, interactive cases will be used to apply the knowledge to specific clinical scenarios. Participants will use education tools and resources provided by facilitators to create an evidence-based, age-appropriate asthma action plan, and in particular, to understand the difference between yellow zone management in children versus adults. The session will conclude with Q&A, allowing for reflection on participants’ real-life experiences, related questions, and networking.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe current evidenced based pediatric asthma diagnosis and  management strategie
2. Practice completing age appropriate pediatric asthma action plans
3. Discuss paediatric asthma control and risk for future exacerbations
4. Clarify indications for step wise escalation of asthma management plans

Ingrid Baerg BSN RN CAE works at the BC Children’s Hospital Asthma Clinic and Severe Asthma Clinic. Ingrid has been a CAE since 2001 and in 2003 participated in establishing a nurse-run asthma education clinic at BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC. In 2009, the Asthma Program was initiated and currently includes an interdisciplinary team comprised of a Nurse Practitioner, CAE nurses, paediatricians, respirologists, paediatric allergists and respiratory therapists who provide timely diagnosis, management strategies, and family-centred education. Ingrid participated in the 2015 Collaboration with Child Health BC and Guidelines and Protocol Advisory Committee to develop and disseminate guidelines, clinical support tools, including fillable Asthma Action plans, as well as an asthma education video to help support community healthcare providers. Ingrid completed her nursing diploma at Vancouver General hospital in 1983 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (with honours) at University of Victoria, BC in 2003. Ingrid has worked at BC Children’s hospital since 1989 with a gap of 2 ½ years teaching English in Japan.

Minna Miller DNP MSN BA RN NP(F) FAANP has been a nurse practitioner at BC Children’s Hospital Asthma Clinic for the past 10 years providing asthma diagnosis, management and education for over 700 patients and their families each year. She teaches asthma-related workshops and seminars for NP students across the three BC Universities and regularly presents on the topic at local and international conferences. She has recently been invited to author a book of paediatric asthma by Springer Publishers. Dr. Miller holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (Highest Honors) from Western University of Health Sciences, where she also completed a Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Honours). She has a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from UBC, and a Nursing degree from Grant McEwan University (Edmonton, AB). She is Affiliate Faculty at McMaster University Canadian Centre for Advanced Practice Nursing Research and is Adjunct Professor at UBC and Thompson River University Schools of Nursing.  She is the recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award by the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC Association, and has been recognized as a PHSA Health Care Hero. Minna chairs the Research and Quality Improvement Committee for the PHSA NP Department, is the Project Coordinator and Researcher for the International Council of Nurses NP Network and its Academy of Research and Enterprise. During her 37-year nursing career she has worked in Finland, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Canada

Workshop 301 - Allergy Hot Topics

Join Dr. Harold Kim for an engaging and interactive workshop exploring hot topics in allergy care. Dr. Kim will cover a range of topics, including: food allergy, eczema, environmental allergies, insect allergy desensitization, sublingual immunotherapy.

Connect with fellow educators to exchange ideas, experiences and best practices. Bring your questions! Be prepared to discuss your challenging allergy cases.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss evidence for current management strategies and therapies for common allergies seen in practice.
2. Explore updates on food and insect allergy desensitization therapies and the latest research on prevention.
3. Explain recent advances in allergy immunotherapy, including sublingual and subcutaneous options, and explore their applications in practice.

Harold Kim MD FRCP has been in private practice in Kitchener for over twenty years. He has an appointment at McMaster as an Assistant Clinical Professor and at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) as an Adjunct Professor.

He graduated with his MD from UWO and completed Internal Medicine and Allergy training at UWO. His clinical interests include allergic conditions including asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, drug allergy and sinusitis. Although clinical research has been an interest in Dr. Kim, his "extra-practice" activities include participating in the Canadian Asthma Guidelines and Canadian Rhinitis Guidelines and the Canadian Immunotherapy Guidelines. Dr. Kim is the past president of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the Canadian Network for Respiratory Care. Dr. Kim is happily married with five daughters.

Workshop 302 - Pulmonary Rehab: A Patient’s Journey

COVID presented many challenges for our patients with lung disease. The educator and pulmonary rehab team at ConnectWell Community Health in eastern Ontario pivoted early in the pandemic to offer their pulmonary rehab classes virtually. The program proved to be extremely successful and the team realized virtual PR has a place beyond the pandemic.

Participants will learn about all aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation, including the definition and components of pulmonary rehabilitation, including exercise training, education, and psychosocial support. The facilitators will share their experiences and success around implementation of their virtual PR program at ConnectWell. Participants will:

• Hear real-life testimonials from patients who have benefited from virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, understanding its impact on their health and well-being. 
• Follow the step-by-step process of a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation program, from patient enrollment to progress monitoring and adaptation. 
• Explore the measures taken to safeguard patient data and comply with privacy regulations in virtual PR programs. 

By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to discuss Virtual PR, its benefits, implementation strategies and potential for improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions.

Learning Objectives 

1. Discuss the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation in managing respiratory conditions. 
2. Identify the challenges and limitations of traditional, on-site pulmonary rehabilitation programs, such as limited accessibility, travel burden, and the impact during pandemics. 
3. Explore the benefits of virtual pulmonary rehabilitation programs, including increased accessibility, flexibility, safety, continuous monitoring, and cost-effectiveness. 
4. Examine the technology used in Virtual PR, such as telemedicine platforms, mobile applications, and wearable devices. 
5. Describe strategies for ensuring patient engagement. Participants will discover methods to keep patients engaged in the virtual PR program, such as gamification, social support, and rewards. 
6. Participants will familiarize themselves with the various technologies used in virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, such as telemedicine platforms, mobile applications, and wearable devices. 

Facilitators:

Valerie Filteau BScPhysio CRE graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor’s degree in sciences – Physiotherapy. She has over 19 years’ experience working in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation in outpatient programs at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Montfort Hospital and more recently in the community as part of ConnectWell Lung Health Education & Rehabilitation Program.  Her work experience involves providing rehabilitation assessment, exercise classes and education offered in a variety of formats including in-person, phone and virtual.

Matthew Burns RKin MSc CRE is a Registered Kinesiologist and holds a Master’s of Science in Cardiopulmonary Physiology from the University of Guelph. He has developed a passion for assisting individuals living with chronic lung disease through working in community based pulmonary rehabilitation and lung health education programs. After beginning his career serving the Brant and Norfolk County region of southern Ontario, he has spent the past two years serving a portion of eastern Ontario, including the Renfrew, Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville counties. 

In addition to offering traditional community based pulmonary rehabilitation programming, his recent work has been focused on improving access and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation services to clients living in rural areas. Additionally, Matthew works as a Certified Respiratory Educator in clinical settings, providing spirometry assessments and lung health education to improve overall quality of life of those living with chronic lung diseases.

Workshop 303 - Dysfunctional Breathing (DB) & Asthma

DB is often mistaken as asthma since it has similar symptoms and triggers. However, DB is a different condition and usually does not fully respond to asthma treatment. DB can occur in patients with or without asthma. DB can occur even when  asthma is well-controlled.

With treatment, Dysfunctional Breathing (DB) can improve and patients can return to normal activities.  Successful DB recovery occurs when symptoms, underlying conditions, and triggers are all addressed.

Dysfunctional breathing describes a broad spectrum of “breathlessness”. Generalized breathing protocols do not fit everyone, and these people need individualized tailor-made program.  However, there are general principles that apply to many people. In this workshop we will review these simple principles so educators have more knowledge around this area.

This interactive workshop, Kathy will share tools developed and currently trialling within her practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the importance of breathing well and the impact to improve health and well-being.
2. Demonstrate simple, hands-on techniques to use with patients when you have limited time.

Kathy Courtney RRT RCPT(p) CRE CTE  is a respiratory educator for the Community Paediatric Asthma Service in Calgary and Clinical Coordinator of the Alberta Childhood Asthma Pathway. 

“Breathing is complex, and there are many things that can affect the way we breathe.  My clinical practice has explored many aspects of breathing dysfunction.  With my never-ending thirst for knowledge and honing my skills – I would love to share what I have learned and our team has developed so educators have another tool in their toolbox to help them with their patients”.

Workshop 304 - Unlocking Health And Well-being: Harnessing CBT Techniques For Goal Achievement

Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy (CBT) is a powerful therapeutic approach that can be used to assist individuals in overcoming barriers, changing behaviours, and achieving sustainable health improvement. In this workshop, participants will learn how to integrate CBT techniques into their practice to support clients in making lasting changes to their health-related behaviours and attitudes.

Learning Objectives

1. ​Define the core principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how they can be applied to health and wellness settings
2. Recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the context of health-related goals.
3. Develop skills for assessing a client's specific health and wellness needs.
4. Identify common cognitive and emotional patterns that may hinder progress toward health goals.
5. Recognize and challenge common cognitive distortions related to health, such as all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and self-criticism.
6. Discuss how to teach clients how to reframe negative thought patterns into more constructive and motivating beliefs.

​Rosa Dragonetti MSc RP CTE is currently the Project Director of Addictions Education and Research at CAMH in INTREPID Lab. She has an academic appointment as Assistant Professor (Status Only) at the University of Toronto, Department of Community and Family Medicine. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in addictions and mental health and provides supervision to clinical students and staff as well as research staff.  Rosa plays a key role in developing a strategy for education and programming initiatives including the TEACH project (a Certificate program in Tobacco Cessation Counselling for healthcare professionals).

Rosa also supports training for other implementation initiatives such as the STOP program, the largest provincial smoking cessation program. Rosa has delivered many workshops across Canada and internationally on various topics including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy. She became part of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in the early 2000s. Rosa has co-authored several journal articles and book chapters. Her areas of interest include health behaviour change, motivational interviewing, e-learning and supporting research initiatives in the area of technology-enabled collaborative care.