Shahid Sheikh
Ohio State University College of Medicine, USA
Title: Wheezing in Infancy. When to treat and why?
Biography
Biography: Shahid Sheikh
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic disease of childhood. In the United States alone, asthma affects about 5 million children, with an estimated annual cost of more than $4 billion and prevalence of asthma is rising. Adoption and adherence to asthma guidelines is still less than optimal. Strategies to improve clinical outcomes depend heavily on educating primary care physicians. In busy primary care practices, physicians lack time educate parents on preventive asthma management plans. Thus it is important that, in addition to physicians, other medical personnel such as nurses and nurse practitioners be a part of patient/family education to improve self-management of asthma. Once trained, they can help implement preventive clinical management plans, educate patients and families, and ensure that patients are on appropriate therapies to achieve adequate asthma control. We are working on this model for last four years at our Institution and I can share results and outcomes.