The intervention is designed to enable patients with COPD to manage their disease more effectively, by monitoring their symptoms and initiating appropriate action when their symptoms worsen. The elements of the program are developed using self-efficacy theory, a recognized and powerful predictor of health-related behavior change. The goal of the intervention is an informed and activated patient working with an informed, skilled case manager to improve self-management of COPD and ultimately clinical outcomes. Case-management programs are used to improve outcomes and to reduce health care utilization among patients with other chronic diseases such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and asthma, suggesting that this approach may be successful in COPD.