Airwaves & Airways

Shaping future research through patient-researcher synergies

On this episode of Airwaves & Airways we're chatting about patient engagement! Patient engagement involves building a collaborative relationship between patients, caregivers, researchers, and decision makers. There are many benefits to having patients and their caregivers involved throughout the research process. This practice is becoming increasing integrated into research as it allows patients to contribute firsthand experiences, identify gaps in healthcare, and confirm that research and studies are relevant and valuable to help improve care. 
One organization making great strides with patient engagement is Legacy for Airway Health, who has developed a Community Partner Committee, comprised of around 14 individuals from diverse backgrounds affected by COPD or asthma. So, to chat about patient-oriented research, we are joined by Dr. Stephanie Harvard (researcher) and Tony Lanier (patient partner) to learn more about this innovative research process. If you’d like to learn more about patient engagement and patient-oriented research, you can visit Legacy for Airway Health’s website at legacyairwayhealth.ca.  
 
Additional resources: 
Patient and Citizen Engagement in Research: https://sporevidencealliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6.-SPOREA-COVIDEND_Patient-and-Citizen-Engagement-Tips.pdf 
Difference between patient partner and patient participant: What is POR? | Patient-Oriented Research Repository (ubc.ca) 
Tips for being a patient partner (Page 1): Patient Engagement - Teams (healthresearchbc.ca) 
Tips for research teams (Page 2): Patient Engagement - Teams (healthresearchbc.ca) 
Interested in learning about what frequently used health research terms mean? Try using: CIHR Jargon Buster: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48952.html 

Supporting British Columbians in their journey to quit smoking through QuitNow

Airwaves & Airways is back with the 1st episode for 2025! For National Non-Smoking Week, we're talking about QuitNow! To support British Columbians in going smoke and vape free, the government of British Columbia has funded QuitNow, a free program to quit or reduce nicotine, which is delivered by BC Lung Foundation. Sheila Matano, Director of Health Promotion and Tobacco Interventions for QuitNow, discusses common obstacles, strategies, and support addressed through the program to demonstrate how QuitNow is designed to support everyone in their quit journey! To learn more about QuitNow and how to get started on your quit journey, visit quitnow.ca. You can also call the help line by dialing 1-877-455-2233.  

Staying safe during respiratory season (what patients need to know)

Do you want to protect you and your loved ones this fall? Fall respiratory season is upon us – a time of increased respiratory illness. In episode 6 of Airwaves & Airways, we chat with Ajit Johal, who is a clinical assistant professor for the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program and is the Clinical Director at Immunize.io. Ajit is a community pharmacist focused on vaccinations and since 2012 has been providing clinical education and immunizations within Vancouver. Join us as we talk about respiratory season, risk factors, and all things vaccinations so you can be up to date on what to expect this fall. If you’re looking to learn more about vaccinations and what to expect as we head into respiratory season, be sure to check this episode out! 
 
Referenced links: 
To learn more about recommended vaccines for your age/medical condition: https://immunizebc.ca/adults/recommended-vaccines   
Information on extra protection options: https://immunizebc.ca/adults/recommended-vaccines#Extra%20protection 
Book an appointment for COVID-19 and/or Influenza: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register  
Immunize.io for vaccine FAQs, options, and updates - https://immunize.io/ 
To find an immunization clinic, schedules, and records - https://immunizebc.ca/ 
BC Lung's resources on immunizations and infections - https://bclung.ca/lung-health/immunization-infections/ 
GSK Arexvy now has 3 seasons of protection:  https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/gsk-rsv-vaccine-data-suggest-protection-across-3-seasons 

Staying safe during respiratory season (what health care providers need to know)

Episode 5 of Airwaves & Airways is intended for health care providers who wish to learn more about which vaccines are currently available for patients and how to talk about vaccines with patients. To explore these topics, we are joined by Ajit Johal, who is a clinical assistant professor for the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program and is the Clinical Director at Immunize.io. Ajit is a community pharmacist focused on vaccinations and since 2012 has been providing clinical education and immunizations within Vancouver. So if you’re a pharmacist, doctor, health educator, or any other type of health care provider, be sure to listen as we dive into how best to support our community this fall. 
To access further evidence-based resources on vaccinations you can visit immunize.io. They have a Vaccine Centre of Excellence which includes free vaccine education resources: https://vaccinecenterofexcellence.com/.  
 
References: 
The burden of Pneumococcal and Influenza disease on activities of Daily Living (ADL)’s  -  
Quinton LJ, Walkey AJ, Mizgerd JP. Integrative Physiology of Pneumonia. Physiol Rev. 2018;98(3):1417-1464. 
Gonzalo PL, et al. The impact of influenza on functional decline. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 July ; 60(7): 1260–1267. 
Impact of RSV on Independent living after hospitalization - Goldman CR, Sieling WD, Alba LR, Silverio Francisco RA, Vargas CY, Barrett AE, Phillips M, Finelli L, Saiman L. Severe Clinical Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections, New York City, 2017-2019. Public Health Rep. 2022 Sep-Oct;137(5):929-935. doi: 10.1177/00333549211041545. Epub 2021 Sep 6. PMID: 34487436; PMCID: PMC9379840. 
Clinical Frailty Score  Guide for clinicians - http://thehub.utoronto.ca/family/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/E_Clinical-Frailty-Scale-June_2016.pdf 
Impact of COPD Exacerbations on patient quality of life - John R. Hurst, Neil Skolnik, Gerald J. Hansen, Antonio Anzueto, Gavin C. Donaldson, Mark T. Dransfield, Precil Varghese, 
Understanding the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations on patient health and quality of life,European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 73, 2020,Pages 1-6,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2019.12.014. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0953620519304431) 
Updated Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (NACI statement) - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-statement-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-2024-2025.html  
Updated Fall COVID-19 Vaccine (NACI Statement) - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-guidance-covid-19-vaccines-fall-2024.html  
Pneumoccocal Conjugate 20 vaccine for adults at risk (NACI statement)  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/public-health-level-recommendations-use-pneumococcal-vaccines-adults-including-use-15-valent-20-valent-conjugate-vaccines.html 
RSV vaccine for Older Adults  (NACI statement) -  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-summary-statement-prevention-rsv-disease-older-adults.html  
TDAP every 10 years (Immunize BC) - https://immunizebc.ca/vaccines/tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis-Tdap  
GSK Arexvy now has 3 seasons of protection:  https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/gsk-rsv-vaccine-data-suggest-protection-across-3-seasons 

Preparing for the September Spike

September is a month of excitement for many, however, the transition of back to school comes risks for children living with asthma. The “September Spike”, is a serious increase in asthma attacks that can occur among children when they return to the classroom.  
In this month's episode of Airwaves & Airways, we chatted with Sharon Ramsey , who is a Certified Asthma Educator at the Burnaby Pediatric Asthma Clinic. Tune in to learn more about the September Spike and how to support children with asthma this fall.  
 
Referenced links: 
bclung.ca/childhoodasthma : resources including handouts, infographics, and asthma action plans. On this page you can also find info about BC Lung’s asthma education camps, and a list of pediatric asthma clinics across BC. 
asthma.ca/get-help/resources/ : toolkits, action plans, and other resources. 
asthma.ca/what-we-do/helpline/ : Asthma & allergy helpline info from Asthma Canada 
bclung.ca/Lung Health Condition/childhood-asthma/asthma-action-plans-for-children/ : Asthma action plans for children 
Childhood Asthma: A Guide for Families and Caregivers :Childhood Asthma a Guide for Families & Caregivers video 

Protecting your lungs during extreme heat events

In episode 3 of Airwaves & Airways, we dive into how extreme heat events can affect our lungs. In BC, we've seen more frequent and intense wildfire smoke and extreme heat events. With these events projected to continue into the future, we want to learn more about how we can best protect ourselves and support those living with a lung condition during times of extreme heat. To explore the intersection of heat and respiratory health, we chatted with Dr. Emily Brigham, who is a practicing respirologist at Vancouver General Hospital. Tune in to learn more about extreme heat, what symptoms to look out for and steps you can take to be prepared ahead of an event, along with many other helpful resources. 
 
Referenced links:
State of the air report: https://bclung.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/State-of-the-Air-2023.pdf 
Wildfire Smoke & Extreme Heat Action Plan: https://centreforlunghealth.ca/wildfire-smoke-and-extreme-heat-action-plan/
Resources to help protect yourself during wildfire season: Bclung.ca/wildfire 
Be prepared for extreme heat events: Bclung.ca/heatpreparedness 
Upcoming webinar info: September 23, at 10-11:30am (Wildfire Smoke and Lung Health – Knowns and Unknowns and Future Direction, hosted by Dr. Stephanie Cleland. Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_74sq85WgSkCwwU6yzjWulw) 

Bringing the BREATHE project across BC

For episode 2 of BC Lung's podcast, Airwaves & Airways, we had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol about the BREATHE project, a community-based initiative that teaches community members and leaders how to build DIY air cleaners to improve their indoor air quality. 'BREATHE' stands for 'Building Resilience to Emerging Airborne Threats and Heat Events' and is a project co-hosted by Simon Fraser University's Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics and Society (PIPPS) and the BC Lung Foundation.   
Along with a team of SFU students, Anne-Marie has been bringing the BREATHE project across British Columbia by hosting workshops to build DIY air cleaners and providing education about wildfire smoke to vulnerable individuals such as low-income seniors and people with existing lung conditions.  
Tune into this month's episode to learn more about the BREATHE project, the importance of indoor air quality, strategies to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, and more! Visit bclung.ca/diyaircleaners for more info about the BREATHE project including a step-by-step guide on how to build your own air cleaner at home.  

Creating a Smoke-Free Generation in BC

In the very first episode of Airwaves & Airways, we are speaking with Christopher Lam, President & CEO at BC Lung about a game-changing policy that BC Lung is proposing to help keep children in BC safe. It’s called Smoke Free Generation, and we’re pretty excited about the prospect that this could really work in our province. Tune in to learn more about Smoke-Free Generation and how it could create a healthier future.