A new NPS MedicineWise online case study focusing on management of asthma in children is now available for GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals.

 NPS MedicineWise clinical adviser Dr Andrew Boyden says children account for a large proportion of people with asthma and managing a child’s asthma in a range of respects is different to managing an adult’s. 
“There are particular considerations to take into account when managing children with asthma,” he says.
“Making a diagnosis of asthma in children, particularly in younger children can present real challenges, and children display  certain patterns of asthma which need to be recognised as they require specific management approaches.
The case study is designed to assist health professionals stay up to date with the latest evidence base.
It includes recommendations from the recently updated Australian Asthma Handbook, focuses on which inhaled medicines are appropriate for children and the importance of assessing inhaler technique. It also addresses the use of written asthma action plans which are an essential component of good asthma management.
“In children with asthma it’s important to ensure that the delivery device being used is age appropriate and that they are able to follow the recommended steps for using that device. Some children may not have enough inspiratory flow to inhale medicine from some devices,” says Dr Boyden.
“Inhaler technique needs to be checked at each visit as it’s a common cause of poor treatment response and ongoing, poorly-controlled asthma.”
Dr Boyden says that in recognition of the various risks and benefits relating to a wide range of available asthma medications, there are age restrictions on some asthma medicines — for example some should only be used in children aged five and over.
The interactive case study provides participants with instant feedback and enables them to compare
 By completing the ‘Asthma: optimising control in children’ case study, participants will be able to:with their peers their approach to asthma management with inhaled medicines. It also includes expert commentary from leading Australian paediatric respiratory physician Professor Peter van Asperen.

• select age-appropriate inhaled preventer medicines and devices


• make treatment recommendations based on asthma classification


• promote use of a written asthma action plan to help patients better manage their asthma


• implement a systems approach to monitor patients’ asthma control.

NPS MedicineWise case studies are free professional development activities for GPs, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. Case studies are also recognised for the Quality Prescribing Incentive (QPI) of the Practice Incentives Program (PIP). Case studies offer an interactive format and are accessible on multiple devices, including computers or tablets.
For more information about the case study, visit to www.nps.org.au/casestudy.