How to organise the care of asthma patients

Care of asthma patients must be well organised to ensure their regular follow-up. The quality of care of asthma patients is improved by a partnership between the patients and care givers to achieve the objectives of long-term treatment. Health education for the patient must be progressive, repetitive and adapted to the level of the patient. The goal of health education is treatment adherence and the ability of the patient to participate in the management and control of the condition. Health workers must listen to the patient, teach techniques (particularly drug inhalation) and give information on the disease, the objectives of the treatment, the effects of the drugs prescribed and the organisation of follow-up. A patient card with essential information should be given to the patient. It includes the assessed grade of severity, the patient's best peak expiratory flow, usual long-term treatment prescribed and the dates of the scheduled appointments. An illustration of the inhalation technique is also provided on the patient card to demonstrate how to inhale the drugs. The organisation and coordination of the care givers at different levels of the health services involved in asthma management must be organised, and essential equipment must be made available.