TABLE 1.

Rating of items for inclusion in the self-management plan based on a survey of Quebec asthma educators

Item	Important (≥4)	Desirable (3.5–3.9)	Not important (<3.5)
Overall format	Use of traffic light colours Pamphlet format Carton/thick paper Graphics specific to child versus adult	Linked to a calendar of symptoms Coupled with a prescription sheet Referring to inhaler by commercial names and colour Contract wording (using “I”) Copy for patient medical file	Orientation from top to bottom One-page format
General messages and languages	Possibility of living a normal life Environmental control Nonpharmacological measures Regular medical follow-up Asthma education Adherence Importance of self-management Criteria for asthma control Inhalation technique Treatment of comorbidities Avoidance of smoking	Recognition of asthma as a chronic disease Recognition of compliance as a challenge
Asthma control zones	Emphasis on: urgent visit if loss of control; preventive management; and asthma control criteria Instruction on beta2-agonist use Characteristics of medications	Treatment of rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis	Recommendations for nasal hygiene during colds Emphasis on treatment of flare-ups
Space for	Additional criteria Instructions to step-up therapy Other recommendations Recommendation for exposure to asthma triggers	Environmental recommendations Phone contact of educator RQAM Web site	Follow-up appointment date Phone contact of physician Phone contact of pharmacist Emergency phone contact Phone contact of clinic or hospital Treatment of comorbidities

Endorsed items were rated for their importance on a Likert scale of 1 (not important) to 5 (very important): items rated 4 or more were considered important for inclusion in the self-management plan; those that averaged 3.5 to 3.9 were considered desirable and were included whenever possible; while items rated lower than 3.5 were considered not important. RQAM Réseau québécois de l’asthme et de la MPOC (Quebec Network of Asthma and COPD)