Evaluating the effectiveness of a locally developed Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP)

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that support through education and provision of a Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP) can reduce emergency visits to hospital and the GP. It is known that having a PAAP attracts appropriate treatment of exacerbations, encourages patients to take responsibility for managing their condition and increases their confidence in self-management. One of the recommendations from The National Review into Asthma Deaths (NRAD)2014 report (Royal College of Physicians) ’ Why Asthma Still Kills’ was for all asthma patients to have a PAAP as part of an education package and structured review. In 2016 the Annual Asthma Survey (Asthma UK) highlighted that the number of patients with a PAAP had almost doubled to 42%. Six years ago we developed a PAAP to use in adults and children with asthma across primary and secondary care in North Staffordshire. It was felt important to evaluate the patient’s experience of using the PAAP. During structured asthma reviews in primary and secondary care clinics a sample size of 52 children and 54 adult patients were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire to ascertain their experience of the PAAP. Of the 106 patients, 102 found the PAAP easy to follow; 99 found the PAAP increased their confidence in managing their/their child’s asthma with 83 stating that following the PAAP helped to avoid a hospital admission. Overall the PAAP’s were very well received by children/parents and adults. Following the evaluation the PAAP’s will continue to be used, reviewed and updated in accordance with national guidance.