The Effectiveness of Asthma Nurse Intervention

Abstract

Asthma morbidity remains high worldwide despite the introduction of national guidelines for management and the increase in specially trained asthma nurses. Current interventions have not led to a demonstrable reduction in hospitalizations and emergency department visits in adult asthma. The role of the asthma nurse must include addressing issues of compliance as part of a more holistic approach to asthma management.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the asthma nurse can play a pivotal role in educating and supporting the patient in self-management strategies and the hospital setting has been shown to be an appropriate setting in which to target those with poor symptom control. Issues of compliance must be addressed within the domains of patients’ perception of their asthma, accurate assessment of prior knowledge, education to promote changes in behavior and appropriate self-management strategies, as well as giving consideration to influences such as culture on self-management behavior.

The asthma nurse is ideally placed to accurately assess and educate patients with asthma on how to manage their symptoms. However, education must be an ongoing process for both patient and educator. Any interventions offered must be based on up-to-date evidence with proven clinical effectiveness if improved long-term outcomes are to be achieved.