Question

Discuss in detail how the quality of Primary Care is connected with unmanaged asthma.

Answer 1

Education remains the corner stone of asthma management and should be carried out by health care providers delivering asthma care. Education should start at the time of asthma diagnosis and be integrated into every step of clinical asthma care. Desirable therapeutic outcomes that could be expected in a primary care include control or elimination of chronic symptoms such as cough, dyspnea and nocturnal awakenings ,attainment of normal or nearly normal lung function, restoration or maintenance of normal levels of activity, reduction in number of, or elimination of, ED visits and acute care hospitalizations, reduction of sideffects of medications. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and sinusitis may prevent an exacerbration of asthma. The patient should be encouraged to maintain a fluid intake of 2to 3 litres per day, good nutrition and adequate rest. One of the primary goals to maximize the ability of the patient to safely manage acute asthma episodes via an asthma action plan developed in conjunction with the health care provider.