Urgent COVID-19 Treatment for High-Risk Patients: The IDEAL Plan

COVID-19 Is NOT Over. High-Risk Patients Are Being Left Behind

Did you know that hospital stays for high-risk patients still average 24 days—three times longer than other respiratory illnesses? Yet, only 16.5% of those eligible receive Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir), a proven life-saving treatment.

"Stop Thinking of COVID as Just Another Respiratory Virus."

"COVID is an inflammatory and cardiovascular disease that enters through the lungs. It affects the heart, the brain, and every system in the body. If we don’t start treating it as such, we will continue to see unnecessary deaths and long-term disability."

Dr. David Strain, University of Exeter

A Report on Improving Access & Education for High-Risk Populations

The IDEAL (Identify, Direct, Educate, Act, and Learn) approach outlines actionable solutions to improve access to COVID-19 treatments and healthcare education. This report, developed by RESPIPLUS, examines challenges in treating high-risk populations and provides key recommendations for healthcare professionals.

Key Highlights:

Barriers to equitable access and utilization of COVID-19 treatments.
Strategies to optimize treatment for vulnerable populations.
The role of healthcare providers in improving patient outcomes.

Download the report now and explore evidence-based solutions.

This program has received educational funding from Pfizer Canada, supporting Respiplus in delivering valuable COVID-19 insights for healthcare professionals.

The IDEAL Plan: A Solution to Canada’s COVID-19 Crisis

The IDEAL (Identify, Direct, Educate, Act, Learn) framework is an actionable strategy to close treatment gaps and ensure early intervention for high-risk populations.

The Five Steps of the IDEAL Plan:

Identify high-risk patients early
Direct them to the right treatment
Educate physicians on risk-based decision-making
Act quickly to improve access
Learn from real-world evidence to optimize treatment strategies

The Urgent Need for Change

"We need clear, consistent eligibility criteria and a healthcare system that prioritizes early intervention—because by the time these patients reach the hospital, it’s often too late."

Dr. Jean Bourbeau, COPD Expert and Scientific Advisor

"If pharmacists and doctors were better equipped to navigate drug interactions and provincial guidelines, we could increase treatment uptake overnight."

Michael Boivin, Pharmacist & Co-Author

Meet the Experts Behind the Report

This report was developed by leading experts in respiratory and infectious diseases:

Dr. Jean Bourbeau, MD, MSc, FRCPC – COPD researcher, McGill University
Prof. David Strain, MB, ChB, BSc (Hons), FRCP, MD – Cardiometabolic and COVID-19 expert, University of Exeter
Michael Boivin, RPh, CDE – Pharmacist, chronic disease expert
Maria Sedeno, BEng, MM – Healthcare strategist, medical education specialist
Katrina Metz, RT – Respiratory therapist, medical writer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about the IDEAL Report. Our aim is to help you better understand the insights and strategic recommendations presented in this comprehensive report.

Explore the questions below to learn more about how the IDEAL approach can enhance COVID-19 treatment access, improve healthcare education, and optimize outcomes for high-risk populations.

What is the IDEAL Approach?

The IDEAL framework (Identify, Direct, Educate, Act, and Learn) provides a structured approach to improving COVID-19 treatment access and optimizing care for high-risk populations.

Why is this report important?

COVID-19 continues to pose risks, particularly for high-risk groups. This report highlights barriers to treatment access and offers strategies to enhance patient care and resource allocation.

Who should read this investigative report?

Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers interested in improving COVID-19 management and addressing healthcare disparities for vulnerable populations.

What are the main challenges addressed in the report?

The report identifies systemic barriers such as healthcare provider hesitancy, limited access to testing, and inconsistencies in treatment eligibility criteria across different regions.

Is the report free to download?

Yes! You can access the full report for free by clicking the download button below.

Where can I find more resources on COVID-19?

Visit our COVID-19 Resource Hub to explore additional reports, research, and tools for healthcare professionals and policymakers.

Without Immediate Action, More High-Risk Patients Will Suffer

The IDEAL Report provides the evidence, strategy, and recommendations needed to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths.

Explore More Free COVID-19 Resources

Take your knowledge further with our free educational resources, designed to support healthcare professionals in providing optimal care for high-risk populations. Access webinars, courses, and evidence-based tools to stay informed and enhance your practice.

Available Resources:

• On-Demand Course: COVID-19 is Not Over: Critical Updates for High-Risk Patient Care

• Webinar: Q&A Session: COVID-19 – Protecting High-Risk Populations Today

• COVID-19 Hub: Guides, tools, and actionable strategies for managing COVID-19 in vulnerable groups.

COVID-19 is Not Over: Critical Updates for High-Risk Patient Care

Explore essential COVID-19 management strategies for high-risk groups in our on-demand course.

Pharmacist educator Mike Boivin and Professor David Strain address the continued urgency of COVID-19 management for high-risk patients.

Despite shifting global attention, COVID-19 remains a serious risk, particularly with new variants impacting hospitalization rates. The speakers share current insights on these variants and provide practical strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Register now – it’s free

Q&A Session: COVID-19
Protecting High - Risk Populations Today

COVID-19 remains a serious concern, especially for high-risk populations.

Join experts Mike Boivin and Professor David Strain to explore the latest variant trends, practical strategies for patient care, and actionable plans to reduce complications.

This session will empower you to navigate the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 with confidence and up-to-date knowledge.

Watch now – it’s free!

Downloadable Tools

Discover the tools you need to make informed decisions and take proactive steps in managing COVID-19 risk. Below, you’ll find two invaluable resources: the LIFE PATHWAY for COVID-19, a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of chronic conditions during the pandemic, and the COVID-19 Action Plan, a strategic framework for addressing critical challenges.

Simply click on the links to download these resources and access clear, actionable guidance that supports both healthcare professionals and patients in achieving better outcomes.

About Respiplus

We are a non-profit organization that, over the past 20 years, has developed world-renowned self-management programs. We develop educational programs to help those with chronic lung conditions to better understand and manage their disease.

Our programs are evidence-based and have been demonstrated to improve people’s lives in multiple clinical trials, resulting in better quality of life, reduced hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

Media Inquiries

📧 Maria Sedeno, Executive Director, RESPIPLUS
✉️ ma**********@*******us.com

Urgent COVID-19 Treatment for High-Risk Patients: The IDEAL Plan

COVID-19 Is NOT Over. High-Risk Patients Are Being Left Behind

"Stop Thinking of COVID as Just Another Respiratory Virus."

A Report on Improving Access & Education for High-Risk Populations