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Healthcare resources, organisational support and practice in asthma in six public health clinics in Malaysia

Hussein N, Ramli R, Liew SM, Hanafi NS, Lee PY, Cheong AT, et al.

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med, 2023 Mar 27;33(1):13.
PMID: 36973274 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-023-00337-8

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory illness is mostly managed in primary care. We aimed to determine healthcare resources, organisational support, and doctors' practice in managing asthma in a Malaysian primary care setting. A total of six public health clinics participated. We found four clinics had dedicated asthma services. There was only one clinic which had a tracing defaulter system. Long-term controller medications were available in all clinics, but not adequately provided. Resources, educational materials, and equipment for asthma management were present, though restricted in number and not placed in main locations of the clinic. To diagnose asthma, most doctors used clinical judgement and peak flow metre measurements with reversibility test. Although spirometry is recommended to diagnose asthma, it was less practiced, being inaccessible and unskilled in using as the main reasons. Most doctors reported providing asthma self-management; asthma action plan, but for only half of the patients that they encountered. In conclusion, there is still room for improvement in the provision of clinic resources and support for asthma care. Utilising peak flow metre measurement and reversibility test suggest practical alternative in low resource for spirometry. Reinforcing education on asthma action plan is vital to ensure optimal asthma care.
Fulltext RESPIRE: The National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) Global Respiratory Health Unit

Sheikh A, Campbell H, Balharry D, Baqui AH, Bogaert D, Cresswell K, et al.

J Glob Health, 2018 Dec;8(2):020101.
PMID: 30603074 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020101
Fulltext COVID-19 pandemic: Practical considerations on the organization of an allergy clinic-An EAACI/ARIA Position Paper

Pfaar O, Klimek L, Jutel M, Akdis CA, Bousquet J, Breiteneder H, et al.

Allergy, 2021 03;76(3):648-676.
PMID: 32531110 DOI: 10.1111/all.14453

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into a pandemic infectious disease transmitted by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Allergists and other healthcare providers (HCPs) in the field of allergies and associated airway diseases are on the front line, taking care of patients potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2. Hence, strategies and practices to minimize risks of infection for both HCPs and treated patients have to be developed and followed by allergy clinics.
METHOD: The scientific information on COVID-19 was analysed by a literature search in MEDLINE, PubMed, the National and International Guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Cochrane Library, and the internet.
RESULTS: Based on the diagnostic and treatment standards developed by EAACI, on international information regarding COVID-19, on guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, and on previous experience, a panel of experts including clinicians, psychologists, IT experts, and basic scientists along with EAACI and the "Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)" initiative have developed recommendations for the optimal management of allergy clinics during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations are grouped into nine sections on different relevant aspects for the care of patients with allergies.
CONCLUSIONS: This international Position Paper provides recommendations on operational plans and procedures to maintain high standards in the daily clinical care of allergic patients while ensuring the necessary safety measures in the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Fulltext ARIA-EAACI statement on asthma and COVID-19 (June 2, 2020)

Bousquet J, Jutel M, Akdis CA, Klimek L, Pfaar O, Nadeau KC, et al.

Allergy, 2021 03;76(3):689-697.
PMID: 32588922 DOI: 10.1111/all.14471