In this Issue March 2003

New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management

Primary Care Special Interest Group at TSANZ Reminder

The General Practitioners Conference & Exhibition 2003

National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium

Conference Diary 2003/4

New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management

The National Asthma Council's New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management will screen live on the Rural Health Education Foundation satellite network on the evening of Tuesday 1 April 2003.

The satellite broadcast organised by the National Asthma Council and supported by Merck, Sharp & Dohme, is part of a national GP education campaign on paediatric asthma and will provide information, highlighting:

The prevalence of paediatric asthma in the Australian community
The classification and diagnosis of paediatric asthma
How childhood asthma differs from adult asthma - especially patterns of asthma and different triggers
Identification of the available preventive therapies (including non-steroidal and steroidal)
Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) and guidance to health professionals on their appropriate use and role as a first-line preventer medication for children
The importance of adherence and a discussion on safety issues

Panel of Speakers

Chaired by Dr Norman Swan, presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, the panel includes:

Prof Richard Henry, Paediatric Respiratory Physician, Head of the School of Women's and Children's Health, University of NSW
Dr Amanda Barnard, General Practitioner, Senior Lecturer, School of Primary Aboriginal and Rural Health Care and Member of the National Asthma Council General Practitioners' Asthma Group, Western Australia and
Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, NSW, Member of the National Asthma Council Pharmacists' Asthma Group

Broadcast Times for Tuesday 1 April 2003

8.00pm Eastern Standard Time on Channel 4 in ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS & VIC
7.30pm Central Standard Time on Channel 4 in SA and NT
6.00pm Western Time on Channel 4 WA and
8.00pm Western Time in WA (repeated on Channel 23)

Network Information

The Rural Health Education Foundation's satellite and Internet network provides an educational lifeline to rural and remote health professionals. The network, involving over 500 sites, is one of the largest of its kind in the world, reaching more than 90% of rural and regional health professionals Australia-wide. The programs dissect major health issues, meeting the professional development needs of all disciplines.

For information on programs, videos and your nearest viewing venue in the Rural Health Satellite Network, contact the Rural Health Education Foundation on Ph: 1800 646 015 or Fax: 1800 555 501

If you cannot view this program on broadcast day, it will be repeated on decoder Channel 23 on Friday 4 April

at 12.30pm in ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC and TAS,
12.00pm in SA and NT, and
10.30am Western Time in WA

The program New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management may be viewed live or at a later date by logging onto the Rural Health Education Foundation's web-site and clicking the icon video-streaming.

Rural Health Education Foundation Video Streaming

Autumn Feature - The Mystery Respiratory Virus

Although there is no vaccination available for the severe acute respiratory syndrome at the moment, there are two important points for people with asthma to consider.

1. Review and update your asthma management plan

A current asthma management plan, including a written Asthma Action Plan will better prepare you against any respiratory illness.

2. Plan to obtain a vaccination to prevent influenza

For influenza a vaccine is available and advisable. Doctors strongly recommend vaccination every year for adults with asthma, and for children with severe asthma.

The influenza vaccine takes about 14 days to provide its greatest protection. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated during autumn, before the influenza season arrives.

People aged 65 and over receive the vaccine free.

Note: people with proven egg allergy should not have the influenza vaccine. It occasionally causes a reaction. If you suspect you have egg allergy, consult your doctor.

See the Autumn Feature for more information.

Primary Care Special Interest Group at TSANZ Reminder

The Primary Care Special Interest Group (SIG) will hold its first meeting on Sunday 6 April 2003 as part of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand's Annual Scientific Meeting in Adelaide.

The agenda will include a debate on the dissemination and implementation of respiratory guidelines in primary care and other issues. Dr Ron Tomlins, RACGP representative on the TSANZ Council, is convening the meeting that should hold particular interest for GPs, asthma educators and practice nurses, physiotherapists and community pharmacists as well as Rural and remote area health professionals.

Fellows of the RACGP are eligible for full membership of the TSANZ, and this is seen in general practice as a welcome incentive to join and participate in the TSANZ.

For more information about the TSANZ meeting 4-9 April go to

TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting Adelaide

The General Practitioners Conference & Exhibition 2003

The National Asthma Council will hold nine workshop presentations on Paediatric asthma: diagnosis, management and the role of new therapies at the General Practitioners Conference & Exhibition (GPCE) being held at the Sydney Showgrounds from 16-18 May 2003. The latest information on paediatric asthma in general practice will be reviewed by experienced GP presenters

The workshop will address diagnosis, severity assessment and medication choice, with particular emphasis on starting, trialling or changing medications. Optimal asthma control, the fewest possible side-effects, best possible lung function and enhanced adherence are the goals of good asthma management.

For more information and registration phone 1800 358 879 or 02 9211 7454 for a registration form or email GPCE2003@infosalons.com.au.

Useful Site

GPCE 2003 Highlights

GPCE 2003

National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium

The AEA (N.S.W.) and the ACT Asthma Educators Group are organising the National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium that will be held in Canberra on the 7th and 8th of August, 2003. The venue is University House at the Australian National University.

The symposium will be of particular interest to health professionals working in the fields of asthma and respiratory education. Speakers include:

Dr Christine Jenkins,
Dr Sandy Anderson,
Sue Jenkins,
Adrienne James and
Janice McKay.

Of note, the Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Alliance will have its inaugural meeting.

The cost is $250.00

Contact Ken Langbridge on (02) 4320 3410 for more information.

Conference Diary 2003/4

Submit brief conference/meeting details to the National Asthma Council for possible posting in our Conference Diary by email to nac@NationalAsthma.org.au.

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2003 Annual Scientific Meeting Adelaide Convention Centre 4 - 9 April 2003 TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting Adelaide
Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2003 Annual Scientific Meeting Adelaide Convention Centre 4 - 6 April 2003 ANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting Adelaide
The General Practitioners Conference & Exhibition 2003 The Sydney Showgrounds 16-18 May 2003 Paediatric asthma: diagnosis, management and the role of new therapies. GPCE 2003
National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium 7 and 8 August 2003 University House' Australian National University Incorporating inaugural meeting of the Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Alliance. For more information contact Ken Langbridge: (02) 4320 3410 National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA) 14th Annual Scientific Meeting Sheraton Towers Southgate & Sebel Lodge Hotel Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Australia October 10 - 13 2003 ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting
2nd World IPCRG Conference Respiratory Disease in Primary Care 'The Way Forward' 19 - 22 February 2004 Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Australia IPCRG Melbourne 2004
The 2004 Australian Asthma Conference ‘A fresh breath – looking to the future’ 22 - 25 February 2004 Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Australia. Asthma Conference 2004