RSC301 Asthma Management (8)

Abstract

This subject integrates relevant knowledge and skill required for effective asthma education. Topics include asthma diagnosis, monitoring and treatment strategies.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
Distance	Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: RSC301
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Biomedical Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
* relate the essential features of currently accepted definitions of asthma;
* describe the natural history of asthma development in populations;
* appreciate the role of the asthma educator and the interrelationship of health care providers involved in asthma care and management;
* describe the pathogenesis of asthma;
* detail world wide asthma prevalence patterns;
* understand current knowledge of the relationship between risk factors and the development of asthma;
* discuss the relationship between asthma, atopy and allergy;
* identify common trigger factors for asthma symptoms;
* describe appropriate use of the various test methods for diagnosis and monitoring asthma;
* recognise diagnostic symptoms and outline the range of methods for monitoring asthma symptoms via patient record cards;
* identify the aims of asthma management plans;
* identify the six steps of the National Asthma Campaign asthma management plan;
* determine asthma severity according to consensus asthma severity classification schemes;
* describe the pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic phases of interaction of medications with the body;
* classify respiratory medications in terms of their mode of action;
* outline optimal methods for delivery of respiratory medications;
* identify drug combinations that are be contraindicated;
* outline pharmaceutical therapy and behaviour modification strategies employed in asthma management;
* contrast asthma management plans and asthma action plans;
* outline age and gender specific asthma management issues;
* relate knowledge of asthma management to educational strategies aimed at improving patient self care;
* plan and evaluate individual and group education sessions;
* design and construct asthma education aids.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
The syllabus will cover the following topics: Module 1: Asthma management: an historical overview * introduces the historical development of definitions, perceptions and treatments for asthma, including common myths and fallacies. * role of the asthma educator and interrelationship with other asthma health care providers; * support services for asthma educators. Module 2: Asthma epidemiology * asthma epidemiology; * risk factors for development of asthma; * common trigger factors. Module 3: Diagnosis and monitoring * diagnostic symptoms and tests: patient history, chest auscultation, spirometry, peak expiratory flow, bronchodilator responsiveness, bronchial challenge tests, chest x-ray. * monitoring methods: record cards, symptom score, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and medication. * severity classification. Module 4: Asthma management plans * aims of asthma management. * pharmacotherapy: bronchodilators "relievers"; anti-inflammatory "preventers"; recommendations based on asthma severity. * aerosol administration; physiologic principles; technical factors; devices. * behavioural modification: trigger avoidance strategies, physiotherapy. * asthma management plans: National Asthma Campaign (NAC) six step plan. * patient self management; asthma action plan, assessment of patient capability. * age specific management issues: infants, adolescents and elderly patients; * acute asthma management. Module 5: Asthma education programming and resources * educational strategies: evaluating patient knowledge, checking device usage, encouraging compliance. * group education sessions. * goal setting and evaluation of education. * educational resources: sources of ready made asthma education aids, asthma educator designed and produced materials, instructional design concepts.

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