Patients are seen in a one-on-one informal atmosphere; adults with asthma learn about the pathophysiology of asthma and what causes an asthma attack, medications for asthma and their proper use, environmental asthma triggers and trigger avoidance, how to track the progress of their asthma with a peak flow meter and home symptom monitoring with an asthma diary; breathing tests or pulmonary function testing, as well as a complete respiratory assessment and asthma education, are performed by a respiratory therapist. All information is communicated back to the family physical for continuing follow-up of asthma care.

Asthma Clinic Adult Program

• Expanding on principals in the Coping with Asthma Booklet
• One on one counselling and educational sessions with a Respiratory Therapist who specializes in Asthma Care and Education
• Preliminary development of an action plan and asthma diary which is forwarded to the physician, along with a summary of the patient's progress through the clinic
• A flow volume loop is done at each of the 2 - 4 educational sessions with the results forwarded to the physicians
• Available free of charge to asthmatics and their families.

Program Objectives

1. To provide accurate information to adults with asthma that will help them understand and manage their asthma more effectively.
2. To reduce the number of urgent visits to the family doctor or emergency department due to asthma attacks.
3. To empower adults with the tools to be as symptom-free as possible.

GOAL

To provide detailed information to the Asthmatic about their disease, treatment options and mechanisms available to help them best control their asthma, and establish good communication pathways between them and their physician.