Lack of Asthma Training is putting lives at risk

The survey, which was commissioned by Asthma UK and the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS), found that two-thirds of GPs feel that GPs’ asthma knowledge could be improved, with over half recognising that their own knowledge could be better.

This reflects separate survey results from the PCRS that show that of the GPs questioned, more than half answered questions on the British clinical guidelines for asthma incorrectly.

To mark World Asthma Day 2011, Asthma UK is urging commissioners of education and training to prioritise asthma. We have also launched a campaign to get asthma taken more seriously by everyone. The Get It Off Your Chest campaign is asking people with asthma to speak out about how asthma makes them feel and affects their lives by sharing their stories at asthma.org.uk/getitoffyourchest.

Neil Churchill, Chief Executive of Asthma UK, says: ‘These findings show that asthma training is not being given the priority it deserves, despite the fact that asthma hospitalises someone every seven minutes. Sadly this is not a unique situation; we know that complacency about asthma also exists in many other settings, such as schools or workplaces. That’s why we’re asking people affected by asthma to share their stories online at asthma.org.uk/getitoffyourchest to help us influence not only training budget holders, but the public, teachers, employers and Government. Together we can inspire others to take asthma seriously and ultimately save lives’.