A new suite of resources has been released today that provide concise information on five key topics identified in the National Asthma Council Australia’s updated Australian Asthma Handbook.
The information sheets have been designed to be used as a companion to the Australian Asthma Handbook and as a ‘go-to’ summary reference for the diagnosis and management of asthma. They include key questions to be considered, quick reference tables and even key messages to communicate to patients.
The five key topics are:
Dr Brett Montgomery, the newly appointed Chair of National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines Committee, said the new information papers will be highly valued by busy GPs.
“These five new information sheets are a suite of resources aimed at supporting primary health professionals to implement the Australian Asthma Handbook V3.0 recommendations into routine practice.
“The latest Handbook recommends some significant changes and sometimes patients can be sceptical or fearful of change.
“The ‘key messages for patients’ in these resources will be really handy in my practice, as I’ll be able to show patients in plain language that the changes I’m suggesting are backed by evidence and experts,” he said.
Dr Montgomery said the emphasis in the updated guidelines is clearly on eliminating short-acting beta2 agonist (SABA-only) treatment and embedding anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR-only) and maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART) approaches as standard care for adults and adolescents.
“The information sheets convey practical, readily accessible information on priority topics of the Australian Asthma Handbook to help clinicians identify the appropriate management approaches in consultations and to help to adopt the Handbook recommendations in everyday practice,” he said.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, Clinical Executive Lead NAC, said following the launch of the updates guidelines last year, this is an opportune time to produce this resource for primary care health professionals.
“Suboptimal asthma control is prevalent in Australia and greater awareness of evidence-based guidelines and options for best practice management will help alleviate poorly controlled asthma in the community.
“The therapeutic approach to asthma has changed over the last decade, with a focus on alleviating chronic inflammation in the airways, not just addressing symptoms.
“The recommendations to avoid SABA-only treatment and shift towards inhaled corticosteroids (ICS-containing) therapy for all adults and adolescents requires substantial education and behaviour changes for patients. These resources will support clinicians with the implementation of the guidelines,” she said.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby stressed that while the information sheets provide a handy summary of key recommendations and information, for detailed guidance on asthma care, the Australian Asthma Handbook should be consulted.
Each of the information sheets were developed by leading experts across five specialist working parties, including representatives from the NAC Guidelines Committee and Asthma Advisory Groups.
The Australian Asthma Handbook V3.0 is endorsed by:
For further information or an interview with a NAC spokesperson, please contact:
Donna Le Page, Le Page PR
Mobile: 0429 825 703 or Email: [email protected]
The National Asthma Council Australia is a collaboration of four member organisations (APNA, ASCIA, PSA and RACGP) and the national trusted authority for asthma knowledge. We set and disseminate the standards for asthma care through our responsive and evidence-based asthma guidelines - the Australian Asthma Handbook and resources for primary health care professionals. Our Sensitive Choice program empowers consumers to identify asthma and allergy-aware products and services.
