CIRCLES and MORE Programs
Over 16 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more than two million of them live in rural areas. There may be millions of others who have COPD and don't even know they have it.
People in rural areas are more likely to have COPD than those in cities or suburbs. They also have more hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and deaths due to COPD. Many in rural communities have less education and lower incomes, which can make it harder for them to access quality health care, including programs like pulmonary rehabilitation or visits with specialists.
The Projects
The COPD Foundation, in partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and AstraZeneca, is working to help people with COPD in rural areas. In 2020, the Foundation started the CIRCLES (Clinicians Improving the Rural COPD Landscape through Education in Self-care Goals) project. This program improved how rural patients and health care providers (HCPs) communicate and helped patients manage their COPD using free tools like the COPD Pocket Consultant Guide (PCG) app (download via the Apple AppStore or Google Play), My COPD Action Plan, and educational videos. The Foundation worked with the Rural Medical Education Collaborative to test these materials in two rural primary care clinics. In 2021, the COPD Foundation launched CIRCLES II, which focused on helping people in rural areas who may not have access to smartphone technology or Wi-Fi. The program added new tools such as instructional videos and “CIRCLES Fit Kits,” which included health and fitness items. * CIRCLES II sites included pulmonary rehabilitation centers and health clinics across 13 U.S. States.
In 2023, the CIRCLES II program was improved based on feedback from both patients and health care professionals. The new program, called “MORE,” expanded its reach to 37 sites across 26 states, serving 2,000 patients in places like pulmonary rehab centers, physicians' offices, VA medical centers, critical access hospitals, an Indian (Creek Nation) Department of Public Health, and a hospital-based palliative care program. MORE reached patients nationwide, offering free, high-quality educational materials to help them manage their COPD and communicate better with their health care teams.
Participants received educational materials such as booklets and flyers on how to live well with COPD, along with information about joining the Patient Powered Research Network.
The COPD Foundation measured the success of CIRCLES and MORE through surveys given to both providers and participants. The feedback was very positive. Participants and providers reported improvements in managing COPD and better communication with their medical teams. The surveys also helped identify challenges in rural areas, which will guide the COPD Foundation in creating future educational programs that meet the needs of these communities.
CIRCLES Materialsplus
CIRCLES update for those living with COPD
Effective COPD self-management and better communication with your health care team is essential. Learn more about our CIRCLES initiative and what we learned about improving care in rural communities
CIRCLES update for health care professionals
How can you work with patients to encourage them to engage in better self-care and also improve communication? Learn more about our CIRCLIS initiative and how we are working to address the challenges facing patients and HCPs in rural America.
CIRCLES II Videos
The CIRCLES Project: Introduction
The COPD Foundation's CIRCLES Project is designed to help individuals in rural areas better manage their COPD. Learn more about the CIRCLES project and get an inside look at the program's toolkit in this video.
The CIRCLES Project: Goal Setting
Goal setting is an important part of the COPD Foundation's CIRCLES Project. Find out why goal setting is important for COPD self-management and join us in setting new health goals today.
The CIRCLES Project: The Workbook and the Game Board
The COPD Foundation's CIRCLES Project features an interactive workbook and game board that is based on the COPD Pocket Consultant Guide app. Explore the pages of the workbook and learn how to navigate the COPD Pocket Consultant Guide app by using the game board.
The CIRCLES Project: My COPD Action Plan and Tips for Living Well with COPD
The COPD Foundation's My COPD Acton Plan and Tips for Living Well with COPD flyer offer important health and safety information for people with COPD. As part of the CIRCLES program, participants received copies of these tools to use on a daily basis. Learn more about how these tools can help you to feel better and stay healthy.
The CIRCLES Project: Activity and Exercise
Activity and exercise are helpful tools for improving the quality of life of individuals with COPD. Find out how to add exercise and activity into your daily routine, and discover why exercise is such an important part of COPD management.
The CIRCLES Project: Medication Management
Using medications correctly is an essential part of managing your COPD. Join the COPD Foundation's CIRCLE Project as we learn more about different types of medications and how to use them correctly.
CIRCLES II Materials for Download
For more information on the CIRCLES program, email info@copdfoundation.org.