Asthma UK Scotland today, (Tuesday 11th October) announced a new research programme looking at the effectiveness of getting people with asthma involved in their own care and treatment through a patient-centred training programme.

The project will involve teams of researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the University of Glasgow, and will run for two years in a group of medical practices in the two cities.

The 'Motivating Patients with Asthma' programme teaches health professionals to work with patients and parents of children with asthma, to improve their asthma management.

Commenting on the new research, Marjory Burns, Executive Director of Asthma UK Scotland said: 'People with asthma tell us they want to be more in control of their asthma treatment and choices and we believe this has enormous benefits in helping them manage their condition better.

"We believe people who are more involved in their care, are more in control of their asthma. This is an important study, which will help us evaluate how effective involving people with asthma in their own care actually is."

Doctor Jennifer Cleland at the University of Aberdeen, who is leading the research, said: "The programme is based on evidence that good communication improves consultations, and patients who are more satisfied with the consultation, understand their asthma better and are more likely to follow their treatment plan as a result of good communication.

"It teaches GPs and practice nurses new strategies to help them understand the experience of asthma for the individual patients and to work with the individual's beliefs about their asthma and communicate information and tailored strategies for the individual."

'Motivating Patients with Asthma', is based on a US programme which resulted in patients getting more from their consultations with their doctors and better symptom control for their children.'

The study will determine how effective the tailored American programme is in supporting the development of patient-centred communication skills in doctors and nurses in 16 general practices across Glasgow and Aberdeen.

If the programme helps to establish successful standards of care in the group of practices participating in the study, it can be rolled out on a wider scale at a later date.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535, or contact Judy Ozkan at Asthma UK Scotland on 0131 226-2544.

First published: 11 October 2005