Asthma In Older Adults Satellite Broadcast Program, Australia

Up to one-third of older people with asthma remain undiagnosed due to a combination of
under-reporting of symptoms and complexity of diagnosis.


COPD in the older person is also under-diagnosed.


To help address this growing problem, the National Asthma Council Australia will host a
special Rural Health Education Foundation satellite broadcast program on September 9,
2008, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.


The program, "Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?", will be chaired by ABC
Radio National's Dr Norman Swan and will feature a panel of experts comprising a
respiratory physician, general practitioner, respiratory clinical nurse consultant and
community pharmacist.


The panel will explore the differential diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults
with breathlessness, with interrelated discussion of COPD, and address 'live' questions
from viewers.


After viewing the program, participants will be able to improve their ability to assess and
diagnose asthma and COPD in older adults; identify appropriate management strategies;
and, understand the effects of ageing on self-management of asthma and COPD.
Participants will also qualify for CME Points from AACRM, RACGP, PSA and APA.
For more details, including local broadcast times and viewing sites, visit: rhef.au


"Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?" will be re-screened on September 12. It
will also be available on DVD and video and via web-streaming or pod-cast as a resource
for all health professionals working with older Australians.


A link to the September broadcast and access to seven previous National Asthma Council
Australia broadcasts can be found at: NationalAsthma.au, together with up to
date asthma management resources for health professionals and patients.

National Asthma Council
Australia