Table 6.

Key components of a personalized asthma education program

Develop good patient–doctor partnership

Discuss the nature of the disease and its pathophysiology

Evaluate patient’s triggers

Identify patient’s goals and preferences

Develop a self-monitoring plan in how to monitor symptoms and lung function

Discuss patient’s lifestyle and change options that are useful for better asthma control according to patient’s goals and preferences

Evaluate treatment regimen according to patient’s goals and preferences

Discuss comorbidities and their treatment including over-the-counter medications, drops, and health food preparations

Share and document decisions about treatment, lifestyle regimens, and trigger avoidance according to the patient’s goals

Share a written asthma action plan for the early recognition and treatment of exacerbations, including when and how early to access health care providers for unscheduled visits or emergencies

Teach proper inhaler technique with practical examples using the prescribed placebo inhaler

Schedule follow-up appointments according to patient’s availability

Control and document asthma control at each follow-up visit

Control and document comorbidities, their treatment, and possible drug–drug interactions at each follow-up visit

Control and document effectiveness of the trigger avoidance program at each follow-up visit

Control and document effectiveness of lifestyles program at each follow-up visit

Control and document adherence to shared treatment at each follow-up visit

Control and document inhaler technique at each follow-up visit