Abstract Rationale Patients with COPD experience variable and progressive symptoms, often complicating recognition of worsening disease and underlying emphysema. For those with advanced emphysema, conventional therapies—including pharmacologic management, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen therapy—provide limited benefit, leaving many patients highly symptomatic. Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy offers a minimally invasive option for lung volume reduction in appropriately selected patients, yet remains underutilized due to gaps in awareness and confidence in patient selection. This case-based online CME activity aimed to improve clinician competence in identifying suitable candidates for EBV therapy and optimizing management of advanced COPD and emphysema. Methods The CME intervention comprised of a 60- minute text-based clinical cases authored by one faculty expert. Response to 3 multiple choice, knowledge questions 1 self-efficacy, 5-point Likert scale confidence question were analyzed using a repeated pairs pre-/post-assessment study design. Pre- to post responses were compared using a McNemar’s test to assess statistical significance (P .001 level). The activity posted on April 2025; data were collected through September 2025. Results The analysis set consisted of responses of Pulmonologists (n = 149) and Primary Care Physicians (n = 266). Analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in competence and confidence. • 33% relative increase (69% pre vs. 92% post, P.001) among Pulmonologists and 11% relative increase (61% pre vs. 68% post, P.001) among PCPs in competence related to interpreting diagnostic results to identify patients who could benefit from endobronchial valve therapy • 83% relative increase (53% pre vs. 97% post, P.001) among Pulmonologists and 100% relative increase (46% pre vs. 92% post, P.001) among PCPs in competence related to developing effective strategies to support patient adherence to endobronchial valve assessment • 50% relative increase (25% pre vs. 50% post, P.001) among Pulmonologists and 60% relative increase (8% pre vs. 22% post, P.001) among PCPs confidence to identify patients who are eligible for referral for endobronchial valve placement Conclusion Participation in this case-based CME activity significantly improved pulmonologists’ and primary care physicians’ competence and confidence in identifying and managing patients with advanced COPD who may benefit from endobronchial valve therapy. Findings demonstrate that targeted, case-based education can effectively bridge knowledge and practice gaps that limit the utilization of minimally invasive lung volume reduction strategies in appropriate patients. This abstract is funded by: Pulmonx
Thorpe et al. (2026) studied this question.