Asthma Patient Responsibilities

In order for us to best partner with you and your family in managing your child's asthma related problems, here is the "Asthma Patient's Responsibilities":

 Asthma is a recurring or chronic problem. Treatment is best when applied by a patient or parents who understands the disease and its treatment. It is the physician’s responsibility to determine the safest effective treatment and to teach the patient how to apply that treatment. It is the patient’s responsibility to:

• UNDERSTAND WHAT ASTHMA IS AND WHAT IT DOES - more information
• KNOW THE NAMES OF THE MEDICATIONS - Many have more than one name, a generic name and trade name such as albuterol and Proventil or Ventolin. If unsure which are being discussed, please ask.
• KNOW WHAT EACH MEDICATION DOES FOR ASTHMA
• KNOW WHEN EACH MEDICATION SHOULD BE TAKEN
• KNOW POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF EACH MEDICATION
• KEEP REGULARLY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS
• KEEP THEIR ASTHMA CONTROLLED
• KNOW WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR FOR ADVICE
• MAINTAIN A HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFE-STYLE IF THERE ARE NO OTHER LIMITING MEDICAL PROBLEMS
• DISCUSS CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ASTHMA OR ITS TREATMENT WITH THEIR PHYSICIAN.