Role of Asthma Educators

Often when a patient is first diagnosed with asthma, they are confused by what their diagnosis actually means for their lives and how to manage it on a daily basis. As asthma is a chronic, life-long lung condition, it can be a daunting task for anyone to handle alone. This is where asthma educators step into the picture and help to sort out the fact from myth and provide a strong, knowledgeable foundation for everyone involved, from patient and their families to other healthcare providers.

History

• In March of 1989, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) was started to address the problem of a growing number of asthma diagnoses. Coordinated by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the organization and workers aim to work with major medical associations, voluntary health organizations and community programs in order to educate patients, health professionals and the public at large.

Education

• In order to become a certified asthma educator, a qualified health practitioner must sit for a nationally board certified test and pass it according to standards set forth by the National Asthma Educator Certification Board. Other people eligible to sit for the test include persons with at least 1,000 documented hours of experience counseling and education for asthma patients.

Function

• Asthma educators are there to teach, educate and counsel individuals with asthma and their families, the education and skills necessary to have a normal quality of life with minimal interference of the asthma itself.

Certification

• While some organizations may have localized examinations to become an asthma educator, there is only one national board certification. This is known as the National Asthma Educator Certification Board.

Benefits

• As an asthma patient, having a qualified and certified asthma educator can be the link needed between doctor and patient in order to fully understand their diagnosis. It is especially helpful for parents who have had a child diagnoses and do not know how to care for them properly.