General principals of management: education.

Asthma education is an essential part of the treatment of this disease. Health care professionals must establish a partnership with the patient with asthma and the patient's family to devise a plan of care with which the patient voluntarily will comply. The partnership with the patient begins at the first encounter and continues throughout the therapeutic relationship. Each member of the health care team can be instrumental in reinforcing the crucial information the patient must know to be an informed participant in his or her care. Nursing professionals are in a particularly advantageous position to foster this partnership because of their patient-focused outlook and the quality of time spent with patients. When the partnership is based on mutual trust and cooperation, the clinician can direct asthma care that is consistent with current expert guidelines. Educational interventions should be meaningful to the patient, learner centered to incorporate the patient's needs, and sensitive to the patient's cultural influences. The patient and his or her significant social and family support should be actively involved. The clinician should be alert to the patient's readiness to learn and tailor the message to suit the setting in which it is delivered. The patient should receive information that allows his or her participation in goal setting for treatment. Essentials to be included are the significance of the diagnosis, basics about inflammation as the primary cause of symptoms, the difference between controllers and relievers, how to use the medications and monitoring devices, how to reach the provider, and the need for continuous ongoing interaction with the clinician. Goals set in the partnership are objectified in the asthma action plan or guided self-management plan. The success of the treatment can be assessed from the patient's improved asthma control and reduced reliance on emergency treatment. Every health care provider is a potential wealth of patient education. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to reinforce knowledge and proficiency in asthma management. Nursing professionals can play a fundamental and crucial role in asthma education by maintaining the focus of the medical treatment on the priorities in asthma care--the learning needs and goals of the patient.