NAC Managing Asthma

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 Asthma Action Plans Spirometry Resources Asthma Information Brochures and Papers Other Resources Special Topics Professional Development
	Asthma Management Handbook
	2006 Edition 6 Reflects 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 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 More...
	Spirometer Users' and Buyers' Guide 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 Written as a guide for those involved in the performance and interpretation of spirometry in clinical practice as introductory information. (First published 1995, revised 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.
	Other Resources More...
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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).
	Information on CFCs Information on CFC- Free Metered Dose Inhalers and links to other formation and resources on CFC's and asthma medications including information sheets for patients.
	Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Practical Perspective 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.
	Long-Acting Beta2 Agonists 'Symptom Controllers' For practising clinicians to assist in appreciating the role of long-acting beta₂ agonists.
	Asthma Information Brochures and Papers
	Asthma Information Brochures For Consumers 1 Asthma and Allergy 2 Asthma and Lung Function Testing 3 Asthma and Pain Relievers 4 Asthma and Air Pollution 5 Asthma and Complementary Therapies 6 Asthma and Infant Bedding 7 Asthma and Diet in Early Childhood 8 Asthma and Wheezing in the First Years of Life Asthma Information Papers Health Professionals 1 Asthma and Allergy 2 Asthma and Lung Function Testing 3 Asthma and Pain Relievers 4 Asthma and Air Pollution 5 Asthma and Complementary Therapies 6 Asthma and Infant Bedding 7 Asthma and Diet in Early Childhood 8 Asthma and Wheezing in the First Years of Life
	Allergic rhinitis and your asthma: What you should know For consumers: This brochure is intended to provide information about allergic rhinitis and asthma and effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.
	Allergic rhinitis and the patient with Asthma: A guide for health professionals 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.
	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.
	VACCINE UPDATE for people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes For consumers: If you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease or diabetes, you may have a higher risk of developing complications from viruses and infections. COPD includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. More...
	Roles of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in subgroups with asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease For health professionals: Vaccination of persons at risk of complications from influenza and pneumococcal disease is a key public health strategy for preventing associated morbidity and mortality.
	Special Topics More...
	Asthma Facts (Summary) Asthma in Australia 2005 Health Care Expenditure and the Burden of Disease due to Asthma in Australia, 2000-1 Asthma Good Health Tips Asthma Management Holiday Checklist Good Asthma Management for Everyone Resources in Community Languages The Four Seasons World Asthma Day 2006
	Consumer Information Sheets Asthma & Allergy Asthma and Food Fact File Asthma & Influenza - the Facts Exercise-induced asthma Get it right! How to stick to your asthma medications How to look after your nebuliser Pregnancy and asthma The traveller with asthma
	Professional Development More...

	A-Team™ Asthma Education Program The National Asthma Council Australia‘s A-Team™ – a group of trained asthma experts – regularly runs asthma education workshops across Australia for GPs, practice nurses, asthma educators and other health professionals.
	Asthma Management Tools Shortcuts to the top asthma management resource tools from the National Asthma Council Australia useful to GPs and Health Professionals.
	The International Primary Care Respiratory Group The National Asthma Council is the member organisation representing Australia.
	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.
	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".
	Patient-Centred Health Care The National Asthma Council Australia convened the Patient-Centred Health Care Workshop in November 2005 to bring together stakeholder groups in chronic disease. Participants in the workshop included Professor Martyn R Partridge via videoconference from London.
	Patient-centred health care in primary care: an overview Discussion Paper 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.
	Performing Spirometry in General Practice Associate Professor John Wilson and Mr Bruce Thompson from The Alfred Hospital present the role of spirometry in the general practice setting for the diagnosis and management of asthma.