Asthma Management

Asthma – optimising long-term management with inhaled corticosteroid

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition commonly seen in primary care. The management goal for asthma is to prevent or minimise symptoms and reduce risk of poor outcomes.

A significant shift in the approach to treating asthma has come about recently, which can help patients to be more symptom-free, and less likely to experience exacerbations, among other benefits. See the ACE Clinical Guidance (ACG) on asthma for more details.

The asthma resources listed below are in keeping with the ACE Clinical Guidance (ACG) on asthma to support asthma patient education and self-management. 

Asthma resources for healthcare professionals and patients

1. Patient education flipchart

          

This flipchart facilitates discussions between healthcare professionals and patients or caregivers on the management of asthma. Click here to download the resource.

2. Written asthma action plan (WAAP)

A WAAP is a patient-specific set of instructions for managing asthma completed by the doctor or another suitably trained healthcare professional together with the patient (or caregiver).

Different WAAP templates exist. However, they should all include space for clear and individualised information on:

• The patient's usual asthma medications (preventer, reliever), including medication name, route, dose, and frequency
• Adjusting asthma medications when symptoms are worsening
• Recognising an asthma-related emergency and how to seek help

A WAAP should be kept in multiple places that are convenient and accessible (for example, at home, at the workplace, in the bag, or saved as a digital copy on mobile phone). As the patient’s asthma condition or medications may change over time, regular review of the WAAP between the healthcare professional and the patient (or caregiver) is important.

Click on the links below for selected WAAP templates (for healthcare professionals to choose, according to applicability to their patients and practice).

3. Patient fact sheet

Patients with asthma or their caregivers may have concerns about the prescribed treatment. This fact sheet may help answer some questions about the use of steroid inhalers. Download the resources below:

• English 
• Chinese
• Malay 
• Tamil 

4. Inhaler technique videos

It is important to use your inhaler with correct technique, so that the medication gets to your lungs to treat the asthma. Click here to watch short videos on correct inhaler techniques.

Statement of intent:
The information provided on this webpage and the linked webpages is to assist healthcare professionals and patients (persons with asthma) in managing/treating asthma. The information is not exhaustive of the subject matter and does not replace clinical judgement of or advice from a healthcare professional. The responsibility for exercising clinical judgement and making decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient remains at all times with the healthcare professional. Patients (or their caregivers) are advised to speak to their healthcare professionals for further information about their asthma treatment.

Disclaimer:
The Ministry of Health, Singapore disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this webpage and the linked webpages, which are provided as is, without warranties.