In this Issue June 2003

The National Asthma Council Breaks New Ground

Asthma 3+ Visit Plan Policy Initiative

Asthma Victoria Research Grants

Lung Health Promotion Centre Training CD Rom

Early Bird Registration for IPCRG 'The Way Forward'

Conference Diary 2003/4

The National Asthma Council Breaks New Ground 

Using the Internet to ‘chat’ about Asthma 

In an Australian first, the National Asthma Council will host an interactive virtual roadshow entitled: “Children, Asthma and the Real World” on Tuesday 1 July 2003 from 7.30 – 8.30pm for GPs via the internet. 

The virtual roadshow is a computer online presentation including an interactive Q & A session viewed directly on the GP’s computer in the surgery or at home. 

Dr Ron Tomlins, Chairman of the National Asthma Council, will facilitate presentations by three expert panellists, 

• Professor David Price, Professor of Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Scotland;

• Associate Professor Colin Robertson, Paediatric Respiratory Physician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne; and 

• Dr Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, South Australia. 

The panellists will cover a variety of paediatric asthma issues including: 

• Is it asthma?

• Is a preventer needed? 

• Which preventer best suits the child? 

• How to achieve improved adherence to treatment? 

• What is the role of LTRAs? 

The virtual roadshow is a new and exciting opportunity for GPs to learn about best practice asthma care, to ‘chat’ with the presenters from the comfort of their own surgeries or homes and earn CPD points. 

The complete roadshow presentation including the expert panel’s answers to questions by GPs will be available on the web for three months following the live roadshow. Busy GPs who miss the live presentation on July 1 can learn more about paediatric asthma when they have a few spare minutes and still gain CPD points. 

In addition to the live presentation, questions will be answered by the panel for three nights following the live roadshow. 

A reminder email will be sent on the day of the virtual roadshow presentation following registration. To participate in the virtual roadshow, doctors will need a PC or MacIntosh computer with sound capabilities, an Internet connection and Internet Explorer 4 or a later version. 

For more details about the program, CPD points, registration and to test whether your computer system is adequate, GPs should go to NAC Roadshow (http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/roadshow)

Asthma 3+ Visit Plan Policy Initiative - What is the HIC data saying?

Presentation to the TSANZ Primary Care Special Interest Group

Justin Beilby 
Professor of General Practice 
The Department of General Practice
The University of Adelaide

The Asthma 3+ Visit Plan appears to have had an even uptake across all regions around Australia according to the latest HIC data that is available from the 2001-2 year.
 

The focus group research conducted with GPs and patients separately before the implementation of the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan highlight some perceived positive benefits with the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan implementation, as well as some excellent pointers for the future.

The GP focus groups discussed a number of themes around adherence to medication, spirometry, continuity of care, follow-up, written Asthma Action Plans, more support and further training in all aspects of the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan.

Key areas identified were the role of asthma educators and practice nurses as vital members of the treatment team, as well as developing partnerships with pharmacists.

GPs saw on-going patient education as being paramount to the successful management of asthma, and also as being an opportunity to reinforce key messages and empower the patient.

Some of the areas discussed in the patient focus groups such as denial or non-acceptance of having asthma were mirrored from the GP-identified poor compliance and lack of patient motivation in managing their asthma.

However the patient approach to recalls and reminder systems contrasted with challenges seen by GPs in this area. The patient view was quite positive, as they liked the thought of being 'cared for' by the GP.

Confidence and trust in their GP was important to patients and written Asthma Action Plans gave patients confidence in knowing what to do in an emergency.

Education was a strong theme with patients. A consumer awareness campaign, to coincide with the rollout of the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan, was thought to be highly beneficial. Raising awareness within the community about the seriousness of asthma and informing people about the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan initiative, would prompt patients to engage in proactive care with their GP.

Useful Resources

Asthma 3+ Visit Plan

Asthma Management Handbook - Written Asthma Action Plans (Adult)

Asthma Management Handbook - Written Asthma Action Plans (Children)

Asthma Victoria Research Grants

Lung Health Promotion Centre Training CD Rom

"How to Correctly Use Inhaled Respiratory Medication Devices"

The Lung Health Promotion Centre has produced a much-needed resource for GPs and other health professionals suitable for professional and patient education on the correct use of inhaled respiratory medication devices. 

Recent research has shown that up to 80% of patients with respiratory illnesses do not use their inhaled medication devices correctly. Less than optimal delivery of medication in the management of a patient's respiratory disease may lead to recurrent asthma attacks, hospitalisations and reduced quality of life. 

Compatible with any computer, the interactive CD Rom uses verbal instructions, checklists and non-verbal demonstrations covering the use of the six inhaler types currently available. 

Individual device information is easy to identify and access to help patients improve their competency. Non-verbal demonstrations are particularly useful for patients who speak in a language other than English. 

The CD also attracts 5 CPD points for general practitioners and 2 CAE points for asthma educators allowing GPs and other health professionals to check their own device teaching technique as well as being an excellent patient education resource.

The CD is well priced at $69.30. For information on how to order go to

Lung Health Promotion Centre (www.lunghealth.org)

Early Bird Registration for IPCRG 'The Way Forward' 

On line registration for the IPCRG 2nd World Conference is open with Early Bird registration available until Friday, 10 October 2003. 

Standard registration fees will apply after this date. 

IPCRG Melbourne 2004 Conference (www.ipcrg-melbourne.org)