ABS29: The SMART plan: development of a symptom-based asthma action plan for single inhaler therapy

Abstract

Introduction:

Asthma patients are often uncontrolled on current asthma therapies [1], most patients in general practice do not have asthma action plans [2] and guideline recommendations are not being closely followed [3]. Negative attitudes towards personal asthma action plans (PAAPs) may be one reason for this obvious reluctance to adopt them in routine clinical practice. However, patients have positive attitudes towards PAAPs, if these are straightforward [4]. The introduction of single-inhaler therapy provides a timely opportunity to develop and evaluate a simple asthma action plan using only one inhaler only to achieve control. There have been no previous studies of asthma action plans for single-inhaler therapy. The literature is particularly weak on the criteria and timing of stepping up and down.

Aims and objectives:

To identify the key components of a symptom-driven asthma action plan which covers what symptoms should drive up therapy in the short-term and long-term, and what should signal stepping down medication for patients taking single inhaler therapy with flexible dosing.

Subjects and methods:

The Delphi Technique [5] was used to establish a consensus opinion from 30 asthma experts (GPs, practice nurses, hospital specialists). The resulting plan will be piloted with asthma patients, to check for acceptability and clarity of language, and modified accordingly. Results and

Conclusions:

We will present the SMART plan, discuss the next stages of this project and use of the SMART plan.

Conflict of interest and funding

None.