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The National Asthma Council's network of leading GPs, respiratory physicians, allergists, pharmacists, asthma educators and consumer advocates has built a rich store of collaborative resources. The wide range of information, brochures, papers, programs and other resources provides the latest information on asthma to health professionals, people with asthma and their carers.
Hardcopy editions are also available for selected resources and may be ordered directly from our Order Online area.
Asthma Management Handbook 2006
 Asthma Management Handbook 2006
Edition 6 is the currently available edition reflecting the constant evolution of asthma management philosophy, techniques and knowledge including a paediatric asthma management section.
The Asthma Management Handbook, the first national guidelines document on asthma care to be published anywhere in the world, is updated every three years and is the accepted standard of best practice.
Asthma Action Plans
 Asthma Action Plans and templates
Suitable for adults or children. An integral part of the Asthma Cycle of Care is the development of a written Asthma Action Plan.
Spirometry Resources
The National Asthma Council Australia's national spirometry training course for GPs and practice nurses provides comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of expiratory spirometry in general practice.
Spirometer Users' and Buyers' Guide
Debbie Burton, David P. Johns and Maureen Swanney
The guide aims to give GPs and others performing lung function testing all the essentials on fundamental aspects of lung function testing and spirometer purchase.
 Spirometry: The Measurement and Interpretation of Ventilatory Function in Clinical Practice.
Rob Pierce and David P. Johns
Written as a guide for those involved in the performance and interpretation of spirometry in clinical practice as introductory information. (Revised by David P. Johns July 2004 and March 2008.)
 Performing Spirometry in General Practice
Online video with Associate Professor John Wilson and Mr Bruce Thompson from The Alfred Hospital presenting the role of spirometry in the general practice setting for the diagnosis and management of asthma.
 ANZSRS/TSANZ Position Paper on Spirometry Training Courses
Position statement of the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science & The Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand on spirometry training courses.
View position statement www.anzsrs.org.au/spirotrainingposition.pdf 172 KB PDF file 
Asthma Information Papers
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Asthma Series
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Allergic rhinitis and the patient with Asthma
This information paper is intended to provide information on the clinical interrelationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis for GPs, asthma educators, practice nurses and pharmacists.
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Combination Therapy - its role in asthma management
Experience with long-acting beta agonists (LABAs, or ‘symptom controllers') over the last 10 years indicates that these drugs are potent and effective bronchodilators, capable of improving asthma control in those with moderate to severe disease.
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The key goal of asthma management with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is to achieve optimal asthma control with the lowest effective dose. Regular review is important to enable proper assessment and maintenance of asthma control.
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 Inhaler technique in adults with asthma or COPD
Incorrect technique when taking inhaled medications frequently prevents patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from receiving the maximal benefit from their medications
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 Leukotriene receptor antagonists: their therapeutic role in children with asthma
This information paper outlines the current position of leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) in the treatment of children with asthma.
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Long-Acting Beta2 Agonists 'Symptom Controllers'
For practising clinicians to assist in appreciating the role of long-acting beta2 agonists.
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Current Australian immunisation guidelines
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The Australian Immunisation Handbook. 9th edn. Canberra: NHMRC, 2008. Available at www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-influenza [Accessed April 2009].
Note: The following publication has been withdrawn and removed from the website.
Roles of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in subgroups with asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease.
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Other Resources |
 Asthma Adherence - A Guide for Health Professionals
Adherence to medication regimens and lifestyle advice can still be difficult for many patients, but will improve both the quality of life and the health outcomes.
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Asthma Care Resources Guide
A guide for asthma educators, GPs and other health professionals to the health system resources available for asthma management.
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 Asthma Cycle of Care
The Asthma Cycle of Care has evolved from a program developed by the National Asthma Council's General Practitioners' Asthma Group to assist GPs with planned asthma education and management within the normal consultation setting.
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 Evidence Based Review of the Six Step Asthma Management Plan (Summary Report)
An investigation of the evidence supporting the recommendations in the Six Step Asthma Management Plan in the Australian Asthma Management Handbook, published by the National Asthma Council (NAC).
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 Transition to CFC-free inhalers
In line with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, countries throughout the world are working on the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-containing metered dose inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While the transition to CFC-free inhalers is complete in Australia, many other countries in Asia and the Pacific have begun the process only recently. This transition awareness package aims to assist National Ozone Units and other key national stakeholders in developing countries to develop appropriate materials to ensure the seamless transition to CFC-free inhalers in each country.
The resources were developed by the United Nations Environment Programme in association with the National Asthma Council Australia, supported by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
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 Managing your Asthma chart
The Managing Your Asthma chart shows the range of respiratory puffers and devices available in Australia.
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 Pain relievers and asthma – quick reference guide for pharmacy
Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and even paracetamol, can provoke asthma or rhinitis symptoms in some people with asthma, while other people can take these medication with very low risk of an asthma reaction. The ‘Pain relievers and asthma: quick reference guide’ was developed to assist pharmacists and pharmacy assistants when dispensing analgesics to people with asthma. This pharmacy resource includes an update of the evidence on aspirin-intolerant asthma and a flowchart of the essential questions to ask patients requesting pain reliever medications.
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 Peak flow chart
A small proportion of people with asthma may benefit from peak flow monitoring. This new standardised peak flow chart allows the doctor and the person with asthma to recognise the pattern of that person's asthma over time and to identify exacerbations (flare-ups) early.
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Professional Development |
 A-TeamTM Asthma Education Program
The National Asthma Council Australia‘s A-TeamTM - a group of trained asthma experts - regularly runs asthma education workshops across Australia for GPs, practice nurses, asthma educators and other health professionals.
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 Asthma issues in focus with GP Review
Explore asthma issues in depth with the National Asthma Council Australia's regular expert contributions to GP Review, a bimonthly magazine published by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
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 Asthma Management Tools
Shortcuts to the top asthma management resource tools from the National Asthma Council Australia useful to GPs and Health Professionals.
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 The International Primary Care Respiratory Group
The National Asthma Council is the member organisation representing Australia.
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 National Asthma Council Programs with the Rural Health Education Foundation
Review the latest health information and undertake continuing professional education with programs including "Balancing the Benefits: Asthma and Combination Therapy Update", "Taking a Breather: Asthma Management for Indigenous Australians" and "Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis". |
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 National Asthma Council Webcasts
The NAC webcast, 'Combination Therapy - A Question of Balance' was presented on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 7.30 to 8.30 pm AEST and is still available for viewing and CPD/CME/CPD&PI points until January 26, 2006
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 Patient-Centred Health Care
The concept of ‘person-centred' or ‘patient-centred' health care is increasingly acknowledged by health professionals as an important focus, particularly in the care of people with long-term conditions.
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Content Updated 15 October, 2009
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Health Professionals 
