SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 31, 2010) — A $150,000 grant will enable Sandra Adams, M.D., M.S., of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, to create Web programs that teach primary care providers about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD, a lung disorder, is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and is a top cause of disability. More than 12 million Americans have received a diagnosis of COPD and another 12 million may be undiagnosed, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
As a critical care physician, Dr. Adams cares for seriously ill patients at University Hospital and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division. She has received numerous teaching awards at the Health Science Center, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, and her research has promoted the concept of utilizing the Chronic Care Model in patients with COPD. This model identifies essential characteristics of high-quality care of patients with COPD and other chronic diseases.
The Distinguished Scholar Award, presented by the Chest Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians, will fund development of patient scenario videos and other interactive features to help health care providers choose steps to treat COPD.
The award has been conferred only twice before, both times to internationally known pulmonary critical care physicians. Dr. Adams serves on the education committee of the American College of Chest Physicians and on the program committee for Chest 2011, the college’s international annual meeting.
Dr. Adams teaches nine pulmonary critical care fellows a year, in addition to medical residents rotating through the critical care units of the hospitals. She also teaches second- and fourth-year medical students.
Citation of article linked above:
Systematic Review of the Chronic Care Model in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Management. Sandra G. Adams, M.D., M.S.; Paulla K. Smith, RRT; Patrick F. Allan, M.D.; Antonio Anzueto, M.D.; Jacqueline A. Pugh, M.D.; John E. Cornell, Ph.D. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(6):551-561.
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