May 2011 Asthma Adviceline Case Study
Rebecca is a 24 year old with asthma, she has had asthma since she ws 5 years of age. Her asthma has not been well controlled and recently she became very unwell. She is experiencing a lot of symptoms and it is interfering with her quality of life. She didn’t really know how to get her asthma under control. She felt he had asthma for so long that this was just something she had to put up with. In the end she looked online for advice and called the Asthma Adviceline to try to understand what was happening and why he was so symptomatic.
Rebecca's Story:
I rang the Asthma Adviceline and explained the situation. The Asthma Nurse asked me what symptoms I was experiencing. I explained to her that I was coughing a lot at night and using my blue reliever more often and was getting less relief from it. She asked me if I had had any asthma exacerbations recently and I told her that I had. Then she said that it appeared that my asthma was out of control and asked me when I had last had a review with my GP. I told her that I wasn’t really visiting my GP.
She told me that the Asthma Society of Ireland were about to launch a new 10 point checklist to help patients get the most out of their next asthma check-up. The checklist advises people to use the A.I.R approach to control - Ask about asthma, Be informed about ways to manage the condition and React by changing behaviour that will improve asthma symptoms. The Asthma Society of Ireland is encouraging people with asthma to download the checklist and discuss the steps with their GP during their next visit.
The checklist is split over three categories – Ask, Inform, React. The advice includes the following:
1. Ask - Make an appointment with your doctor or nurse and ask about any concerns you may have such as asthma control, asthma triggers and medication.
2. Inform- Find out the facts on asthma such as what to do if it is not controlled and how to manage the triggers that make it worse.
3. React- If you don’t feel on top of your asthma by the end of your check-up, go through the steps with your doctor or nurse again.
The Asthma Nurse stressed the importance of correct inhaler technique, complying with medication, the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of deteriorating asthma and when to get help. She told me that the checklist is designed to help people with asthma prepare for their asthma review, understand what questions to ask their doctor or nurse and know where to look for advice and information. The Asthma Society of Ireland is encouraging people with asthma to download the checklist from www.asthmasociety.ie and discuss the steps with their doctor or nurse at their next visit. The nurse also told me that good asthma control is possible for the majority of patients through education, appropriate medication and following a personal asthma management plan. The aim of the checklist is to help people with asthma get the most out of those vital 10 minutes they get with their doctor or nurse – 10 minutes that could change their life. The steps are split into three categories and the advice includes the following:
Before your visit use the checklist to review your own level of control and identify your asthma triggers – be sure to bring this with you to show to your healthcare professional.
During your visit get your peak flow and inhaler technique checked, discuss your medication and review your asthma management plan
At the end of the visit ask yourself if you know how to manage your asthma and most importantly what to do if you have an asthma attack – if the answer is no, then ask again.
She told me that many people with asthma find it difficult to remember the questions they want to ask their GP, especially in the short time available. By completing the self assessment section before the appointment, the doctor or nurse can identify if the person’s asthma is controlled or not. Bringing the checklist to the visit will help me to ask the key questions at my GP visit. I’m confident that when I visit my GP I will be able to get the most out of the consultation.
I felt a lot better having spoken to the Asthma Nurse and realising that there are more structured ways of managing my asthma. She helped me to think about my condition and plan what I want to stay to my GP before I have made an appointment. I’ve made an appointment to visit my GP with the intention of putting this plan in place and I intend to get annual reviews from now on.
If you have any query on asthma and would like to speak to an Asthma Nurse, contact the Asthma Adviceline on 1850 44 54 64.
