Welcome to this latest issue of GPN. We are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health.
As always, we hope that you enjoy this issue of the journal and our news update.
Long-term conditions: asthma in children.
Respiratory tract infections, such as rhinovirus, can trigger asthma symptoms and lead to asthma exacerbations, which can constitute a medical emergency. Emergency admission data for asthma exacerbation in children reflect the dates of the return-to-school calendar, when children become more exposed to infection. While general practice nurses (GPNs) have recognised this pattern of asthma exacerbation in children for some time, there has been a lack of evidence around the factors that cause such alterations to patients’ airway pathophysiology. Unfortunately, avoiding exposure to viral respiratory infections is impossible, therefore this article examines how optimum asthma management is vital in reducing the impact of infection on the patient’s airways.
In each issue of the Journal of General Practice Nursing we investigate a topic currently affecting our readers. Here Lynne Bowers, independent health and care advisor, looks at resilience and asks "What it means for general practice teams".
Resilience has become a ‘tainted’ word associated with well-intentioned (or otherwise) taught sessions foisted upon bewildered staff.
Supporting patients with COPD to self-care.
By 2030, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Within the UK, it is estimated that around three million people are living with COPD in England alone, with two million of these unaware that they are living with the condition (Department of Health [DH], 2012).
It is the fifth biggest killer in the UK overall, causing about 30,000 deaths each year (DH, 2011). The condition itself is associated with considerable disability, impaired quality of life and high utilisation of healthcare resources.
