6 May 2008: AMA (NSW) has urged asthma patients to have a regular GP and discuss their condition until they are satisfied they can understand and manage it.
A study of asthma patients in nine countries including Australia, released on World Asthma Day 6 May, rated general practitioners as the most useful source of information about asthma, but fewer than one third of the Australian asthma patients surveyed were confident they had their condition under control.
“Patients should have a continuing relationship with their GP in order to prevent and control asthma,” said AMA (NSW) Vice President, Dr Brian Morton, a practising GP.
“More than one visit is need for patients to be able to understand their disease and find out the triggers that affect them.
“Effective treatment is available and should be able to minimise asthma symptoms. Asthma can be a discouraging and dangerous condition, and coming to terms with it is an educational process for both doctor and patient.
“Treatment for asthma continues to improve. There is also reliable information available from organisations like the Asthma Foundation, but there is no substitute for a patient’s regular GP,” Dr Morton said.
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