Abstract

This leaflet aims to develop a concise and accessible guide to asthma management within the community, and more specifically, within GP practices. I have created a user-friendly leaflet that provides clear information on recognising symptoms, the appropriate use of inhalers, personalised asthma action plans, and key lifestyle considerations. While there is a wealth of high-quality information produced by asthma charities, this guide seeks to collate and simplify these resources into a single, user-friendly format. The overarching goal is to empower patients to understand better and self-manage their condition, whilst also supporting them in recognising when to seek medical advice.

Although streamlined approaches to asthma management have made it easier for healthcare professionals to treat people with asthma, there is still a significant gap between the proposed management and patients’ understanding and engagement with the treatment regimen. This has recently been highlighted in December 2023, when a 22-year-old man sadly died due to asthma, with the subsequent coroner's report identifying gaps in patient knowledge as well as failures from the GP practice to identify inhaler overusage. Furthermore, the prevalence of asthma is rising and support for primary care services is paramount in ensuring people with asthma are getting the best care in an already stretched service.

I have created this leaflet through engaging with asthma care services at a GP practice in Manchester. I used patient questionnaires to understand patients' understanding of their asthma and its management. I have also involved patients in providing feedback on the leaflet's accessibility and the information it contains.

By aligning evidence-based guidance with patient needs, I hope this resource has the potential to enhance the quality of asthma care in the community and ultimately help to reduce preventable asthma deaths.