HAAD improves pharmacy services for Asthma sufferers

Press release

Published February 27th, 2011 - 12:00 GMT

Asthma, which affects over 19.5% of children under 18 years of age

Pharmacists practicing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be better equipped to provide pharmaceutical service to patients with respiratory problems following a specially tailored asthma education course held by the Health Authority -Abu Dhabi (HAAD). Around 200 professionals responsible for drug dispensing have enrolled in a series of seminars on the disease, the first of which took place in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi from February 4-5.

The comprehensive continuing education program will lead to certification by the American Association of Asthma Educators.

‘Introduction to Asthma’ was the title of the first wave of the seminars, which was staged at the Al - Ain Hilton on February 4 and in the capital’s HAAD auditorium the following day. The two events formed the first wave of a series of educational symposiums designed to promote asthma education as an integral part of a comprehensive asthma program, to raise the competence of Pharmacist who educate individuals and families affected by asthma, and to raise the standard of quality of asthma education delivered to those with asthma

“Asthma is a potentially serious medical condition which affects over 19.5% of children under 18 years of age according to a HAAD survey of 7500 schools children in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the year 2007, and is one that is prevalent across the UAE - it can be easily exacerbated with the dusty wind storms,” said a spokesperson at HAAD. “People with asthma are prone to changes in environmental conditions and this can negatively impact their quality of life,” they added.

The Pharmacist Asthma Educator Program will run over four months, with subsequent modules taking place in March, April and May. Topics to be covered include:

Description of the pathophysiologic changes that occur in the airway

Identification of the goals of asthma therapy and indicators of loss of control

Description of the key patient educational points for asthma medications

Outline care, cleaning and changing protocols for inhalation devices

Definition of Spirometric measurements

Development of a patients specific Asthma Action Plan

Explanation of asthma related triggers in the home, school, and workplace

Listing co-morbid conditions that can affect control in individuals with asthma and strategies to minimize or eliminated conditions

Identification of health beliefs and barriers to adherence as they apply to self –assessment and self-management in persons and families with asthma

Listing outcomes one can measure before and after asthma education

The Pharmacist Asthma Educator Program is one of various programs planned for the Pharmacists Professional Development in 2011 for enhanced understanding of Asthma patients’ needs in Abu Dhabi. The course is designed to help participants recall, apply, and analyze key concepts in the asthma management. The comprehensive cases and device workshop, where all participants receive an inhalation device kit, aid in application of materials. Emphasis is placed on exam preparation.

The first wave has been accredited by CME/CPD section at Health Authority Abu Dhabi for 6 CPE hours category 1.

Background Information

Department of Health - Abu Dhabi

Department of Health -Abu Dhabi is the regulative body of the Healthcare Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in Healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population.

DoH defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system.

In addition DoH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforce standards, and encourages adoption of world – class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate.

DoH also drives programs to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.