Step 5: Develop an Action Plan

 

Formulate and provide a written Action Plan so that all people with asthma will be able to recognise deterioration promptly and respond appropriately.
Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma
Self-management education about asthma involving self-monitoring by either PEF or symptoms, regular medical review and a written action plan, improves health outcomes for adults with asthma. These are major reductions in resource use and improvements in morbidity. Asthma education that allows patient adjustment of medications based on a written action plan is more efficacious than asthma self-management education that does not (Gibson PG, et al, CDSR) [LEVEL 1].

Symptoms versus peak flow self-monitoring for adults with asthma
No difference has been demonstrated in the four studies which compared these two forms of self-monitoring as a component of an optimal education strategy. However, only limited data are available on this topic (Gibson PG, et al, CDSR) [LEVEL 1].

Self-monitoring alone
There was no consistent benefit of self-monitoring as a sole intervention in reducing hospitalisation or improving lung function [LEVEL 1]. Self-monitoring should be combined with a written action plan and regular medical review for optimal benefit (Gibson PG, et al, CDSR) [LEVEL