Poor Patient Asthmatics: Asthma Patients Who Need Better Doctors

These asthmatics would be okay if they had different doctors. We RTs hate to bad mouth doctors, but we know that since this patient has been in the ER 10 times in the last year, he should be on some type of preventative, anti-inflammatory medicine and not just a bronchodilator.

Poor Patient Asthmatics would take better care of their asthma if they knew how. They need help developing a good asthma action plan for themselves. They may even need to be prescribed different asthma medicine that works better for them. They know that something is wrong, but their doctor isn't helping.

Poor patients may also be children with asthma whose parents don't have a clue how to manage the asthma.

Asthma Attitude: "There must be a better way to manage this. But I need help!"

Asthma Strengths: They want to manage their asthma well and will do what it takes to feel better.

Asthma Weaknesses: They may not be pushing hard enough on their doctor and they may be afraid to simply find another physician who will help them. Children, unfortunately, can't choose their doctors (or their parents).Lessons to Live By: You know your asthma symptoms better than anyone. Get another doctor if you need to until you find one that is helpful. You may need a pulmonologist (a lung specialist). Ask questions about medications and work with your doctor to find an asthma medicine regiment that works for you. Get started with these 5 steps to controlling your asthma. If you're a parent, use ourChildhood Asthma Guide to get more information.

Originally published at healthcentral.com/asthma.