Treating asthma is very much in the picture at the moment. A recent report in UK indicates that the lives of patients suffering from asthma are put at risk by chaotic drug prescribing by doctors. The report also adds that the patients are not being given proper advice on how to use their inhalers or being left on strong drugs that they do not need. In a confidential inquiry in to deaths of children with asthma in East Anglia in Britain, 40% of the deaths were due to inadequate doses of inhaled corticosteroid.

Reassessment of patients being treated for asthma was inadequate with patients either not getting the drugs that would help or they were getting unnecessarily strong or costly drugs. Many of the patients did not know how to use the inhalers properly and it appeared that only a few doctors and nurses themselves knew how to use them effectively.

I am sure this happens widely in a number of countries. The junior doctors who are setting up their new practices should take note from this. They must get in to the habit of spending more time with each patient. The doctors must also reassess them at timely intervals to check if they are responding to their treatment. If a patient is not responding adequately the doctor should have the courage to ask for help or advice from someone who is more senior or more experienced.

Badri.

P.S Check out the “You Tube” link on how to use an inhaler in “Links” under “Patient Support” in our web page: http://tnmgc.com/links.php?menu=4&subject=10