[What does the asthmatic patient know about his disease?]

Asthmatics attending two specialist offices were interviewed to determine how well informed they were. Fifty per cent of the patients did not know what it was they were suffering from; 50% had no idea about the pathomechanism of bronchial asthma; 75% believed that bronchial asthma was curable; 50% believed that treatment as required sufficed. Two-third feared dangerous adverse effects of the drugs they were taking. Topical steroids were largely unknown. Patients who had been in our care for 1 to 2 years were already much better informed than new patients. The knowledge of the latter was appreciably improved by a single oral session of instruction, and the reading of a self-written brochure. The main thrust of this educational effort must be to familiarize the asthmatic patient with the following points: Asthma is a chronic disease and must be treated regularly and life-long. The drugs employed have no injurious adverse effects. It is necessary to repeat such information sessions at short intervals and to monitor their effectiveness.