RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 National and regional asthma programmes in Europe
JF European Respiratory Review
JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 474
OP 483
DO 10.1183/16000617.00008114
VO 24
IS 137
A1 Olof Selroos
A1 Maciej Kupczyk
A1 Piotr Kuna
A1 Piotr Łacwik
A1 Jean Bousquet
A1 David Brennan
A1 Susanna Palkonen
A1 Javier Contreras
A1 Mark FitzGerald
A1 Gunilla Hedlin
A1 Sebastian L. Johnston
A1 Renaud Louis
A1 Leanne Metcalf
A1 Samantha Walker
A1 Antonio Moreno-Galdó
A1 Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos
A1 José Rosado-Pinto
A1 Pippa Powell
A1 Tari Haahtela
YR 2015
UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/24/137/474.abstract
AB This review presents seven national asthma programmes to support the European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership in developing strategies to reduce asthma mortality and morbidity across Europe. From published data it appears that in order to influence asthma care, national/regional asthma programmes are more effective than conventional treatment guidelines. An asthma programme should start with the universal commitments of stakeholders at all levels and the programme has to be endorsed by political and governmental bodies. When the national problems have been identified, the goals of the programme have to be clearly defined with measures to evaluate progress. An action plan has to be developed, including defined re-allocation of patients and existing resources, if necessary, between primary care and specialised healthcare units or hospital centres. Patients should be involved in guided self-management education and structured follow-up in relation to disease severity. The three evaluated programmes show that, thanks to rigorous efforts, it is possible to improve patients' quality of life and reduce hospitalisation, asthma mortality, sick leave and disability pensions. The direct and indirect costs, both for the individual patient and for society, can be significantly reduced. The results can form the basis for development of further programme activities in Europe.Current asthma programmes confirm patients' quality of life can be improved while significantly reducing costs http://ow.ly/Q8dR0