I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Respiratory at Waikato Hospital, responsible for the management of adult patients with asthma. I work within the inpatient setting and also run nurse led clinics both within the hospital and at satellite clinics in the community. I have recently completed my Masters in Health Sciences from Auckland University with the subject of my dissertation being adherence to asthma medications.
| Adherence to Asthma Preventer Medication
AstraZeneca Dinner Symposium |
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| Friday, 13 June 2014 | Start 7:30pm | Duration: 90mins | Blue Baths |
| There are many safe, effective and affordable medicines available to treat asthma yet many patients do not take these medicines correctly. While adherence is a behaviour observed in patients, there are many factors beyond the patient, including a failure in healthcare delivery. The reasons for non- adherence to asthma medications are part of a complex interplay which is of relevance to all clinicians who interact with asthmatics. Many of the idiosyncrasies of asthma are fundamental barriers to adherence. Asthma must be managed at all times regardless of symptom burden, with indiscreet cumbersome devices delivering different medications used for prevention and symptom relief. While patient beliefs and behaviour patterns have a major impact on adherence these can be altered, with the aim of promoting better understanding of the disease in order to improve self-management. Asthma care needs to focus on discovering what patients believe about their disease and medication, correcting any misguided beliefs, educating patients about their disease, convincing them the medication works without causing them harm and then ensuring they are able to take the medication and incorporate it into their lifestyle. | |||