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Asthma Management Module Learning Objectives

The Asthma Educator will be able to:
1. Define what asthma is;
2. Explain the epidemiology of asthma in terms of prevalence, morbidity, mortality, economic costs, and impact on quality of life;
3. Explain how family history and personal history, particularly relating to the presence of allergy, determine the natural history of asthma in an individual;
4. Explain the pathophysiology of asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to:
1. Differentiate between inflammatory and symptom triggers, and give examples;
2. Explain the provoking factors that affect asthma control: respiratory pollutants and the related current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations; aeroallergens and the related current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations; factors that may cause occupational asthma and the related current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations; and physical factors that trigger asthma symptoms;
3. Explain the role and management of viral infections in asthma;
4. Describe the relationship of asthma to: rhinitis; sinusitis; gastroesophageal reflux; atopic dermatitis; and food allergy;
5. Describe exercise-induced bronchospasm; and
6. Identify the common signs and symptoms.
The Asthma Educator will be able to demonstrate how to take an accurate and effective patient history.
The Asthma Educator will be able to describe the importance of the physical findings (from a physical examination) for a person with asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain:
1. The current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations about allergy testing; and
2. The interpretation of skin testing used in allergy assessment.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the criteria used for diagnosing asthma in pre-school children.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain three lung function tests that may be used to help confirm a diagnosis of asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to describe peak expiratory flow in terms of:
1. What it is;
2. The importance of peak flow measurement to provide an objective measure of PEF;
3. The current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations when confirming asthma diagnosis;
4. When to use a peak flow meter;
5. How to correctly monitor and interpret peak flow measurements based on PEF system (colour-coded);
6. How to correctly use a peak flow meter.
The Asthma Educator will be able to describe spirometry in terms of:
1. What it is;
2. The current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations when confirming asthma diagnosis;
3. Role of spirometric assessment including: indications; interpretation and quality control.
The Asthma Educator will be able to describe airway hyperresponsiveness testing in terms of:
1. What it is;
2. The current Canadian asthma guideline recommendations for airway hyperresponsiveness testing to confirm asthma diagnosis.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain three factors that guide the classification of asthma severity.
The Asthma Educator will be able to demonstrate how to assess the severity of a patient's asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the best results possible for asthma control as defined by the current Canadian asthma guidelines.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the criteria that determine asthma control as defined by the current Canadian asthma guidelines.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain loss of control of asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the asthma continuum concept.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the goals of asthma management and how they relate to asthma control.
The Asthma Educator will be able to outline the aspects of asthma management as defined by the current Canadian asthma guidelines.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain asthma management in terms of a dynamic therapeutic/action plan that adjusts based on the asthma continuum.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the importance of environmental therapy to long-term asthma management.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain:
1. Immunotherapy;
2. Its role in asthma control;
3. The current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations for immunotherapy.
The Asthma Educator will be able to identify the current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations on alternative therapies for asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the importance of pharmacotherapy in asthma control.
The Asthma Educator will be able to identify:
1. type of medication
2. function of medication
3. generic and brand names
4. the side effects
5. the current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations for the following medications:
  1. inhaled fast-acting beta-agonists
  2. inhaled glucocorticosteroids
  3. inhaled long-acting beta-agonists
  4. combination inhaled glucocorticosteroids & long-acting beta-agonists
  5. leukotriene receptor antagonists
  6. oral methylxanthines
  7. oral glucocorticosteroids
  8. inhaled anticholinergics
  9. inhaled and Oral Non-Steroidal or Anti-Inflammatory (Anti-Allergic) Agents
  10. anti-IgE agent
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the indications for use of epinephrine (EpiPen) in the treatment of asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to (for each of the following devices):
1. Demonstrate proper technique
2. Demonstrate proper maintenance
3. Explain indications for use of:
  1. Aeorlizer.
  2. Diskus®
  3. Handihaler®
  4. Metered-dose inhaler
  5. Mertered-dose inhaler with spacer (mouthpiece and mask)
  6. Turbuhaler®
  7. Wet nebulizer
The Asthma Educator will be able to:
1. describe acute asthma in emergency care.
2. explain how to treat acute asthma in emergency care.
The Asthma Educator will be able to:
1. explain the current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations about inhaled delivery devices;
2. explain which delivery devices are better suited to patients of different ages and varying needs;
3. explain which inhaled delivery devices are used with specific medications to control asthma.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain:
1. The goal of patient monitoring;
2. The current Canadian asthma guidelines recommendations for patient monitoring.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the role of the patient diary form in monitoring asthma control.
The Asthma Educator will be able to: identify the components of a patient diary form; and to demonstrate how to properly complete a patient diary form.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain how patient monitoring determines whether control is adequate or medications need adjusting.
The Asthma Educator will be able to explain the action plan in terms of:
1. asthma control;
2. its components based on symptoms +/- PEF system (colour-coded);
3. its importance in asthma management.
The Asthma Educator will be able to:
1. explain what is meant by follow-up;
2. the goal of follow-up & its importance;
3. factors to consider during follow-up; &
4. demonstrate how to conduct an effective follow-up visit.
The Asthma Educator will be able to identify the circumstances that warrant a referral to an appropriate health care professional.