Using a matrix as an educational approach to asthma

Health care providers agree that asthma care must be individualized to fit the need of the child and family. A written plan in the form of a matrix enables the health care provider to give families a step-by-step individualized plan of care for asthma. This article discusses the use of a long-term treatment plan in matrix form as an educational tool for health care providers and for families. The written long-term plan can be used to guide treatment for any level of asthma severity. Following a review of asthma pathogenesis and diagnosis, categories of medications are presented, along with their role in a long-term treatment plan. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines are used as a basis for the recommendations in the long-term treatment plan.