The National Asthma Council Australia has launched an Asthma Best Practice education webinar for health professionals in time for Spring 2020.
Late September to December is when the amount of rye grass pollen and other allergic material such as fungi or dust in the air can significantly increase right across South-Eastern Australia and become a significant risk for patients with asthma and or allergic rhinitis.
The workshop covers important learnings including:
Ms Marg Gordon, Registered Nurse, Asthma and Respiratory Educator said the National Asthma Council had developed the webinar series to meet the ongoing need for health professional education.
“We know that asthma affects approximately 10 per cent of the Australian population and when assessed, half of these people have poorly controlled asthma. We also know that approximately 15% of Australians have allergic rhinitis and it is often underdiagnosed, undertreated and sub optimally self-treated.
“Spring is an essential time to conduct an asthma review to help patients achieve optimal asthma and allergic rhinitis control, particularly for at risk patients.
“We are urging GP’s and pharmacist to sign up for the webinar to prepare for the peak spring and thunderstorm asthma season and the likely increase in presentations for asthma," she said.
The webinar also includes information about preparing your clinic to take a proactive approach this spring using current practices like Telehealth to conduct asthma reviews during the COVID pandemic.
“General practices and pharmacies, particularly those across South Eastern Australia, should ensure they have an Emergency Asthma Plan Policy for patients presenting with an asthma flare up, all staff are trained in asthma first aid and there are good supplies of reliever medications and spacers on hand, particularly for emergency use,” said Ms Gordon.
The National Asthma Council webinars are held in conjunction with a host organisation and attendance is free. Six topics are currently available and are presented by members of the National Asthma Council’s team of experts. All material is based on the Australian Asthma Handbook.
The webinars are recognised by the RACGP and ACRRM as CPD activities.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/health-professionals/education-training/asthma-and-respiratory-workshop-education-program
For further information or an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact:
Donna Le Page, Le Page PR
Mobile: 0429 825 703
Email: donna@lepage-pr.com.au
