Vol. 21 •Issue 1 • Page 25A
Book Review
Handbook Proficiently Guides Asthma Care Providers
Asthma can be controlled with proper planning and treatment, but this requires patient and caregiver education about symptomology, pharmaceuticals, prevention and monitoring.
Many evidence-based studies have defined these topics well, and it is imperative this information be presented to patients and their caregivers in an easy-to-comprehend manner.
The Asthma Educator’s Handbook is written as a tool for practitioners to understand the information and how to best approach the education of their patients. It also was developed as a “study guide” for those interested in taking the Asthma Educator Certification exam.
The book is divided into two basic sections. The fundamentals part describes the mechanisms of asthma, the pharmacokinetics and uses of the drugs for treatment and the intricacies and nuances of caring for pediatric patients with asthma. The practical aspects section deals with monitoring, prevention and management.
From understanding the mechanisms of asthma to monitoring techniques like peak flow diaries and asthma action plans, The Asthma Educator’s Handbook gives many methods and language suggestions to the readers to disseminate this information to their patients.
Recognition of symptomology for the severity of their asthma is as important an aspect to teach asthmatics as are cure treatment options for the particular level of disease severity. Differentiation among controller drugs and fast-acting bronchodilators, steroids and anti-inflammatories and the utility and timing of each are important aspects of asthma care and education. The authors discuss these subjects in great detail.
I highly recommend The Asthma Educator’s Handbook; it’s a well-written text that deals with all aspects of asthma care.
It’s the duty of health care professionals who take part in any aspect of asthma care to learn and teach the tenets presented in this book to their patients.
David Kissin is on staff at Maine Medical Center, Portland.
The Asthma Educator’s Handbook
By Christopher H. Fanta, MD; Elaine L. Carter, RN, AE-C; Elisabeth S. Stieb, RN, AE-C; and Kenan E. Haver, MD
Published by the McGraw-Hill Companies
412 pages, $49.95
