Additional resources to help implement the latest national guidelines around asthma are now available to assist health professionals.
The resources – a quick reference guide (QRG) and information paper – align with the updated version of the National Asthma Council’s Asthma Handbook.
The updated handbook contains significant changes to both the diagnosis and management of asthma. These are in addition to some information sheets already released this year.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, from the National Asthma Council, said with the evolving complexity of asthma guidelines and treatment regimens it was important to update the reference guide.
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“The QRG provides a concise summary and visuals on the step-by-step control-based approach to asthma management in adults and adolescents,” she said.
“The quick reference tables detail the options and dosing regimens for anti-inflammatory reliever therapy (AIR-only) and maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART).
“The message from the NAC is clear – the recommendation is to avoid SABA-only treatment and shift towards inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)-containing therapy for all adults and adolescents.”
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The 20-page reference guide is available as a downloadable document.
Clinical A/Prof Rigby said the new Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD information paper was another vital resource for busy GPs.
“There are a number of new inhalers available, so it’s important to have complete information in one resource,” she said.
“It is concerning that most patients with asthma or COPD do not use their inhalers properly, and most have not had their technique checked or corrected by a health professional.
“Evidence shows that inhaler technique improves most when patients are activated rather than simply instructed once or told to read the instructions.
“The inhaler only works if it reaches the lungs properly and even small technique changes can make a big difference to asthma control and prevent flare-ups,” she said.
Clinical A/Prof Rigby said the most effective way to encourage patients with asthma to practise inhaler technique is to combine repeated demonstration, patient ‘teach-back’ and reinforcement linked to personal benefit.
“Doctors should check inhaler technique at every opportunity, and the PBS requires that inhaler technique is assessed prior to ‘stepping up’ a patient’s medication regimen,” she said.
Clinical A/Prof Rigby added GPs should try to avoid inhaler polypharmacy and prescribe combination inhalers (dual or triple) when clinically appropriate.
“It is also best to try to stick with the same type of inhaler when patients require multiple types of inhaler, either all pMDIs or all DPIs.
“Showing the National Asthma Council how-to-videos together with reviewing the detailed checklist in the information paper will enable better inhaler technique for patients,” she said.
All resources and the Australian Asthma Handbook can be found here.
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