NAC Asthma Programs with the Rural Health Education Foundation

Background

The National Asthma Council has worked with the Rural Health Education Foundation for a number of years to provide medical education programs about the management of asthma.

The Rural Health Education Foundation is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation which utilises satellite technology and the Internet to provide an education and information "lifeline" to regional, rural and remote health professionals.

NAC Asthma Program Titles

Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?^New
Balancing the Benefits: Asthma and Combination Therapy Update (810)
Taking a Breather: Asthma Management for Indigenous Australians (720)
Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis (703)
New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management (306)

Archived Programs
Asthma and Combination Therapy: Getting the Balance Right (503)
One year on: The Asthma 3+ Visit Plan (310)
Asthma 3+ Visit Plan: A New Initiative (206)

The programs are invaluable to the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, administrators and other health workers as they provide an opportunity to review the latest health information and undertake continuing professional education.

After the original broadcast date, the programs are available for viewing online from the Rural Health Education Foundation website and available as a Podcast. DVDs or VHS video tapes of the programs are also available for sale from the Rural Health Education Foundation.

Go to Rural Health Education Foundation
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/programs.html)

Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=326&group_id=34)

Program summary

Older adults may consider their breathlessness to be a frustrating but natural consequence of ageing, unaware that respiratory disease might be the cause. Yet the prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both increase with age.

The risk of dying from asthma also increases with age, and acute asthma attacks are more rapidly fatal in older adults. However, up to one-third of elderly people with asthma are not identified as such by their doctors through a combination of under-reporting of symptoms and complexity of diagnosis. COPD is also under-diagnosed in the elderly.

This program will cover the differential diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults with breathlessness, with interrelated discussion of COPD. The distinction between asthma and COPD is important, even when they co-exist, as there are significant differences in the optimal management of each condition. Clinical case studies will be used to frame the discussion.

Learning outcomes

After viewing the program, participants will be able to:

Recognise the prevalence of asthma and COPD in older adults.
Improve their ability to assess and diagnose asthma and COPD in older adults with breathlessness, including when to use spirometry.
Identify appropriate management strategies for older adults with asthma and/or COPD, including indications for combination therapy and the role of vaccination.
Understand the effects of ageing (eg impaired cognitive status, dexterity and eyesight) on self-management of asthma and COPD.

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National
Assoc Prof Christine McDonald, Respiratory Physician, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC
Dr Gary Kilov, General Practitioner, Clarinda Clinic, Melbourne, VIC
Ms Toni Riley, Community Pharmacist, Bendigo, VIC
Ms Vanessa McDonald, Respiratory CNC, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW

Duration

60 minutes (to be confirmed).

Broadcast details

This live program will be broadcast on Channel 4 of the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 9 September 2008 at:

8.00pm in ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD & TAS.
7.30pm in SA & NT.
6.00pm in WA (& repeated in WA at 8.00pm on channel 23).

The program will be repeated on Channel 23 of the Foundation’s satellite network on Friday 12 September 2008 at:

12.30pm in ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD & TAS.
12 noon in SA & NT.
10.30am in WA.

Balancing the Benefits: Asthma and Combination Therapy Update

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=36&group_id=34)

Program summary

There are more than two million Australians suffering from asthma. Since 2000 many people living with asthma have experienced a change in the way their asthma is managed. Symptom controllers, also known as long-acting beta₂ agonists (LABA), combined with traditional inhaled corticosteroids are resulting in effective management of asthma symptoms with lower quantities of medication.

Recent advances in combination therapy medication are changing the way some of these modern medications are used. This program outlines the best practice use of asthma combination therapies, including the appropriate selection of medications and different management regimens, in the context of latest research.

Discussion case studies reinforce learning outcomes in a clinical setting.

Learning outcomes

After viewing this program participants will be able to:

Improve their ability to identify and assess people with asthma who may benefit from combination medication.
Understand the indications and treatment regimens of the different combination medications.
Identify appropriate review periods, manage medication regimes and adjust where required for asthma control.
Enhance their ability to educate patients about combination medication dosage, titration and side effects.

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Associate Professor Matthew Peters, Respiratory Physician, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney
Dr Clive Tucker, General Practitioner, Purga, QLD
Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, Sydney, NSW
Ms Judi Wicking, Asthma Educator, Melbourne, VIC and Asthma Education Program Project Officer, National Asthma Council Australia

Broadcast date: Tuesday 20 May 2008

Taking a Breather: Asthma Management for Indigenous Australians

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=32&group_id=5)

Program summary

Contrary to popular belief, Indigenous Australians are more likely to have asthma than non-Indigenous Australians. This difference exists across all age groups but it is most pronounced in older adults, especially women aged over 35 in whom the prevalence for Indigenous Australians is double that for non-Indigenous Australians.

Asthma is a manageable condition, however many of the current mainstream asthma management programs are less appropriate in Indigenous communities due to factors such as resource availability, language use and cultural context.

The program focuses on the cultural and medical issues surrounding effective asthma management for Indigenous Australians, including prevalence, diagnosis and risk factors. With an emphasis on culturally appropriate information, topics include the role of asthma action plans in patient self-management, appropriate medications, and use of and access to devices.

Learning outcomes

After viewing this program, participants will be able to:

Recognise specific issues relating to asthma in Indigenous communities
Increase their understanding of the importance and effectiveness of:
- early detection of asthma
- trigger and risk factor management, particularly smoking
- self-management, particularly the use of asthma action plans and adherence to pharmacotherapy
Identify community-based initiatives that improve access to medications and devices
Understand the importance of culturally appropriate patient information

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Professor Anne Chang, Paediatric Respiratory Medicine Consultant, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane and Menzies School of Health, Darwin
A/Prof Graeme Maguire, Respiratory and Outreach Physician, James Cook University and Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns
Ms Anne Bastian, Asthma Educator, Asthma Foundation Northern Territory, Darwin
Dr Penny Abbott, General Practitioner, Western Sydney Aboriginal Medical Service, Mt Druitt
Mr Chris O’Brien, Aboriginal Health Worker, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service, Dapto

Broadcast date: Tuesday 11 December 2007

Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=62&group_id=34)

Program summary

There is a clear interrelationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis. Approximately 10% of all Australians have asthma, and allergic rhinitis occurs in an estimated 75–80% of these asthma patients. Conversely, 20–30% of patients with known allergic rhinitis also have asthma.

Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis may be confusing and symptoms can easily be mistaken for asthma. The impact of allergic rhinitis can significantly affect a person’s daily quality of life and when it occurs in conjunction with asthma, can complicate airway symptoms. Patients with allergic rhinitis severe enough to impair activities or worsen asthma control may need pre-emptive treatment as part of their management plan. Effective management of asthma and allergic rhinitis requires a combined approach.

This program discusses the evidence for the clinical interrelationship and investigation and appropriate treatment of allergic rhinitis in asthma patients.

Learning outcomes

After watching this program, participants will be able to:

Understand the interrelationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Recognise the symptoms and identify the appropriate allergy tests in order to make the correct diagnosis.
Identify the role of pharmacological treatments and specific allergen immunotherapy in the long term treatment plan.
Develop allergy and asthma prevention strategies and appropriate written action plans.

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Associate Professor Connie Katelaris, Senior Consultant, Allergy and Immunology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney.
Associate Professor Frank Thien, Adult Respiratory and Allergy Physician, Alfred Hospital, Victoria.
Mr Peter Holder, Community Pharmacist, ACT. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia representative on the National Asthma Council Board and a member of NAC Pharmacists' Asthma Group.
Associate Professor Ian Charlton, General Practitioner, Kincumber NSW. Founding Chairman of the National Asthma Council's influential General Practitioners' Asthma Group.

Broadcast date: Tuesday 20 March 2007

New Directions in Paediatric Asthma Management

Access the program online

(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=147&group_id=34)

Scope

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

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
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 NAC GP Asthma Group, Western Australia.
Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, Member of the NAC Pharmacists' Asthma Group.

Broadcast date: Tuesday 1 April 2003.

Archived Programs

Asthma and Combination Therapy: Getting the Balance Right

(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=208)

Scope

This program on combination therapies and asthma will examine the following questions, based on the latest evidence:

What are the clinical indications for prescribing combination therapy?
What is the correct dose to start patients on?
How often should the medical practitioner review the dose?
How can the medical practitioner use combination therapy to improve medication adherence and quality of life?

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Dr Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, Member of the NAC GP Asthma Group, Happy Valley SA.
Associate Professor Peter van Asperen, Paediatric Respiratory Physician, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Westmead NSW.
Associate Professor Jo Douglass, Clinical Allergist, Immunologist and Adult Respiratory Physician, Dept of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran VIC.
Mr Peter Holder, Community Pharmacist, Hughes ACT, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia representative on NAC Board of Directors and member of the NAC Pharmacists' Asthma Group.

Broadcast date: Wednesday 30 March 2005

One year on: The Asthma 3+ Visit Plan

(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=143&group_id=34)

Scope

An update on the 3+ Visit Plan's current status and views of general practitioners
Information on asthma diagnosis, assessment of severity and management of asthma
The role of spirometry in asthma diagnosis and management
The correct use of appropriate asthma devices
Back titration and issues relating to the maximum safe doses of inhaled corticosteroids
Practical advice to health professionals to increase their understanding of how to complete a written Asthma Action Plan
The role pharmacists play in the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan
Tips and practical advice for implementing the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Dr Amanda Barnard, General Practitioner, Member of the NAC GP Asthma Group, WA.
Dr Simon Bowler, Respiratory Physician, Qld.
Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, Member of the NAC Pharmacists' Asthma Group, NSW.

Broadcast date: Tuesday 24 June 2003.

Asthma 3+ Visit Plan: A New Initiative

(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=216)

Scope

The Federal Government General Practice initiative for asthma is available to help GPs better manage the clinical care of their patients with moderate to severe asthma.

The initiative, the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan, was designed by GPs for GPs through the National Asthma Council GP Asthma Group, which developed and evaluated the original 3+ Visit Plan model.

This broadcast outlines the requirements of the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan, which includes a series of at least three asthma-specific GP consultations incorporating diagnosis and assessment of severity, the development of a written Asthma Action Plan, medication review and patient education.

The program also provides information about

lung function testing,
how the initiative can be implemented into a practice,
how other health professionals can be involved, and
what other support and resources are available.

Speakers

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
Dr H. John Fardy, General Practitioner, Chair, NAC GP Asthma Group, Shellharbour NSW.
Dr Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, Member of the NAC GP Asthma Group, Happy Valley SA.
Associate Professor John Wilson, Adult Respiratory Physician, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC and Director of the NAC.
Mr Stephen Hughes, Pharmacist, Member of the NAC Pharmacists' Asthma Group, Rouse Hill NSW.

Broadcast date: Tuesday 23 April 2002.