Asthma In Older Adults Satellite Broadcast Program, Australia

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Also Included In: COPD
Article Date: 12 Aug 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Up to one-third of older people with asthma remain undiagnosed due to a combination of under-reporting of symptoms and complexity of diagnosis.

COPD in the older person is also under-diagnosed.

To help address this growing problem, the National Asthma Council Australia will host a special Rural Health Education Foundation satellite broadcast program on September 9, 2008, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The program, "Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?", will be chaired by ABC Radio National's Dr Norman Swan and will feature a panel of experts comprising a respiratory physician, general practitioner, respiratory clinical nurse consultant and community pharmacist.

The panel will explore the differential diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults with breathlessness, with interrelated discussion of COPD, and address 'live' questions from viewers.

After viewing the program, participants will be able to improve their ability to assess and diagnose asthma and COPD in older adults; identify appropriate management strategies; and, understand the effects of ageing on self-management of asthma and COPD. Participants will also qualify for CME Points from AACRM, RACGP, PSA and APA. For more details, including local broadcast times and viewing sites, visit: http://www.rhef.com.au

"Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?" will be re-screened on September 12. It will also be available on DVD and video and via web-streaming or pod-cast as a resource for all health professionals working with older Australians.

A link to the September broadcast and access to seven previous National Asthma Council Australia broadcasts can be found at: http://www.NationalAsthma.org.au, together with up to date asthma management resources for health professionals and patients.

National Asthma Council Australia