Dr. Chapman
Respirologist
Nikki Breede
Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE)
Cheryl Connors
Executive Director, Canadian Network for Respiratory Care
John was first diagnosed with asthma as a child and had struggled for many years to keep his asthma under control.
Two or three times a year, he would end up in a hospital emergency room, struggling to breathe and being sent home with prednisone, a steroid drug that is very effective in treating severe asthma and for helping the lungs heal after a sudden asthma attack but that does cause other unpleasant side effects.
John’s family physician referred him to a lung specialist, called a respirologist, at the Toronto Western Hospital’s Asthma & Airway Centre. Once there, he was sent for spirometry, and other specialized lung tests to assess the severity of his asthma. His respirologist, Dr. Ken Chapman, explained his diagnosis. Dr. Chapman adjusted John’s medication and recommended that he start on a biologic therapy for his Severe Asthma.
Dr. Chapman also sent him down the hallway to see Nikki Breede, a Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE).
“Nikki taught me how to use my new puffer and explained what to do if I had trouble breathing,” John said. “It took me awhile to get the hang of it and Nikki helped me practice until I got it right.” Nikki also explained how the new biologic medication would work.
Nikki advised John to make sure all of his vaccinations were up to date – flu, pneumonia and COVID-19. These viruses put patients with lung disease at higher risk of complications.
John told Nikki that his asthma was also worse in the spring when his allergies were bad. Together, they worked on a plan help manage his activities when pollen levels were high.
John, who had struggled to quit smoking for many years, was also able to finally quit with Nikki’s assistance. “Nikki and I worked on a tobacco quit plan together. For the first time, I used the right dose of an NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) patch and chewed the gum to help me deal with cravings.”
Together, Nikki and John worked on a strategy to help John manage the triggers that caused him to smoke, like grabbing a coffee at the drive-through or taking breaks with his friends at work who smoke. He has been tobacco-free for two years now!
Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) are health professionals who have taken specialized training and certification to help people manage their asthma, and other lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) are health professionals who have taken specialized training and certification to help people manage their asthma, and other lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). They also learn about communications and education so that they can help people achieve their health goals.
“Our highly skilled Certified Respiratory Educators help my patients manage their asthma and COPD so that they don’t end up in emergency rooms,” emphasized Dr. Chapman. Chapman is also the President of the Canadian Network for Respiratory Care, the organization that certifies the CREs.
To find a CRE in your community, contact 1-855-355-4672.
