The role of the nurse in paediatric asthma management

In recent years the role that specialist nurses play in chronic disease management has broadened and they are now recognised as valuable members of the multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating that their skilled practice contributes to the quality of patient care. Nurses in primary and secondary care are working as autonomous practitioners managing their own caseload of asthmatic patients and taking a key role in facilitating ongoing treatment regimes. The development of advanced nursing roles has provided an opportunity to broaden many nursing skills producing highly competent paediatric respiratory nurses. The purpose of this article is to outline the service that nurses offer to children with asthma and their families by discussing the role they play in patient care and management.