Self-management plans for people with deteriorating asthma.

Self-management plans (SMPs) focus on the early recognition of unstable or deteriorating asthma. Patients without SMPs are more likely to have an asthma exacerbation. The author developed an individualised credit card-sized pictorial asthma plan (ICPAP). Fifty-three patients with asthma aged between 16-60 years were recruited from attendees of a hospital-based, nurse-led clinic. Patients completed a standardised asthma quality-of-life questionnaire and were given the ICPAP. Spirometry, emergency/out-patient/GP attendances, hospital admission and exacerbation data were collected. The patients were reviewed at three and six months. At six months, 79% of patients had used their ICPAP, 100% understood it and 49% were carrying it with them. The most popular aspect of the ICPAP was size and pictures. There was a reduction in exacerbation rate (P=0.0360), unscheduled attendances to general practice (P=0.0005) and hospital admissions (P=0.0044). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]