Program summary:  

‘Back-to-school asthma’ is a common problem in Australia, with a spike in asthma-related hospital visits for school-aged children occurring regularly in the first few weeks after each school holiday period. The highest annual peak is in February as students return from the long summer break.

Although the possibility of a life-threatening episode remains, asthma is a very manageable disease in most children. Good asthma control means a child can live a normal active life, free from emergency department visits or days off school due to asthma.

Asthma in children differs from asthma in adults in clinically important aspects, which include the patterns of symptoms, anatomical factors and recommended treatments. Just in time for the new school year, this program will discuss the latest in best-practice asthma management for primary-school-aged children.

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=341&group_id=34 )

Learning Objectives

After viewing the program, participants will be able to:

• Diagnose and assess school-aged children with asthma more effectively.
• Understand the indications and treatment regimens of current paediatric asthma medications.
• Develop a systems approach to review periods and medication adjustment for optimum asthma control.
• Update their knowledge of recommended self-management strategies for children with asthma and their carers.

Speakers

• Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of The Health Report on ABC Radio National,
• Assoc Prof Adam Jaffé, Paediatric Respiratory Physician, Sydney Children’s Hospital
• Ms Tracey Marshall, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Asthma Education, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney
• Dr Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, Happy Valley, SA
• Ms Toni Riley, Community Pharmacist, Bendigo, VIC
• Mr Tony Healy, National Coordinator, Asthma Friendly Schools

Duration

60 minutes
Broadcast date: Tuesday 27 January 2009