Impact of education on treatment compliance in patients with asthma

Poor or non-compliance with therapy is a common problem, in patients with asthma, but one which has been poorly and infrequently studied both in clinical trials and in general practice. A common reason proposed for poor compliance is that if the patient fails to understand their disease process and the mode of action of therapy, then there is little motivation to follow the prescribed regimen. There has been a wealth of asthma educational programmes developed over the last 10 yrs. Booklets, audio cassettes and, more recently, videos, explaining asthma, have all become available, but there is still some doubt as to whether such knowledge alters patient behaviour and improves compliance with therapy. Modifying behaviour and improving asthma control may be achieved with specific instruction, such as a self-management plan where the patient has greater control of his or her own condition.