Asthma Education Programs

Asthma education in all countries is very important as it is a ever worsening condition that appears to be rising with each passing year.

Both the National Institute of Health of the United States and the British Thoracic Society has recently issued guidelines on the management of Asthma.

The National Institute of Health of the United States convened a panel of asthma experts in 1990 and again in 1995 with the job of developing specific guidelines to improve the detection and treatment of asthma.

This research was started because there were concerns about the growing levels of asthma morbidity and mortality. The National Institute of Health of the United States published their recommendations as the National Asthma Education Program in 1991 and also in 1997.

The British guidelines were introduced as a result of a joint initiative between the British Thoracic Society (BTS), The Royal College of Physicians of London, the King's Fund Centre and a National Asthma Campaign in 1990. These guidelines were then published in the British Medical Journal. They have subsequently been revised and updated several times.

The basic purpose of Asthma Education includes the following:

• To raise awareness of patients, health professionals, and the public that asthma is a serious chronic disease.
• Ensure recognition of the symptoms of asthma by patients, families, and the public and facilitate an appropriate diagnosis by health professionals.
• Ensure an effective control of asthma in the population by encouraging a working partnership among patients, their doctors, and any other health professionals who are involved in their care through modern treatment and education programs.

Therefore, basic asthma-related topics that should be covered in any type of asthma education are as follows:

• What Is Asthma?
• Warning Signs of Asthma
• Establishing a Partnership To Manage Asthma.
• Basic Information and Resources About Asthma.
• Steps To Manage Asthma
• Asthma Trigger Control Plan
• Find Your Asthma Triggers
• Plan for Staying Active for both adults and children.
• How To Set Appropriate Guidelines for Your Child's Activities
• Developing a Medicine Plan
• Correct Use & Care of inhalers and Spacers
• Correct Use of a Nebulizer
• Home Peak Flow Monitoring
• Weekly Asthma Symptom and Peak Flow Diary
• Identifying and Reducing Triggers of Asthma
• Managing Exercise-Induced Asthma
• Solving Asthma Problems Related to School and Work
• If Your Infant Has Asthma
• Resources for Asthma Patients and Their Families
• What You Need To Know About Medicines for Asthma
• Correct Use of a Metered Dose inhaler
• Spacer Devices
• Nebulizers
• Talking to Others About Asthma
• Patient Worksheets
• Asthma Learning Records
• Developing a Written Plan To Control Asthma and Manage Asthma Episodes

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