A Merseyside resident with asthma welcomes a change to the way sufferers could manage their condition better.
NICE released a draft guidance yesterday, overviewing project information into exploring how digital technologies can support the self-management of people with asthma.
It stated that there is a pressing need for help in supporting patients with a better understanding of their condition and how to self-manage it.
Georgie Stevens has suffered with exercise induced asthma since the age of 12, now in her early twenties she says it has become more prominent during cold weather.
She said: “I often forget to bring my inhaler places, and its not until I need it I notice.
“An app that can be tailored to me and my needs would help me use my inhaler more consistently.”
Digital self-management technologies could help provide educational resources on everyday management, insights into potential triggers, encourage people to take their medication correctly, be a tool for monitoring symptoms, and provide advice about personalised action plans.
Currently, only 3 in 10 people with asthma in the UK receive recommended basic care, and asthma deaths are among the highest in Europe.
In the statement, it noted the UK is one of the worst-performing developed countries for asthma deaths in the 5-to-34-year age range, ranking 35th out of 37.
Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Apps and online tools, such as a digital personalised asthma action plan, can provide more accessible ways for people to monitor symptoms and empower them to better understand their condition to keep them well and out of hospital.”
There are eight recommended digital platforms that the NHS is being advised to use during the evidence generation period. Those eight include:
- Asthmahub
- Asthmahub for parents
- AsthmaTuner
- BreatheSmart/Respi.me (RDMP)
- Digital Health Passport
- Luscii
- myAsthma
- Smart Asthma
The use of these digital platforms is not only to provide more aid to the patient but also to reduce the strain on the NHS, especially in the winter months when admissions are at an all-time high.
Around 5.4 million people in the UK are receiving treatment and support for asthma.
Dr Whittamore added: “It’s important that these tools are not seen as a replacement for effective basic asthma care or clinical treatment and that the introduction of technologies does not create inequalities of care.
“NHS systems need to put respiratory care at the centre of their plans for technological and non-technological aspects of care.”
The expected publication date by NICE is April this year.
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