Institute for Continuing Education

Diagnosing and Managing Asthma

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the global and national epidemiology of asthma, including prevalence trends, mortality patterns, healthcare utilization, and economic burden across diverse populations.
• Explain the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying asthma, including chronic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, airway remodeling, and the molecular pathways involved in Type 2-high and Type 2-low endotypes.
• Apply GINA 2024 diagnostic criteria to confirm asthma diagnosis, utilizing clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing, peak flow monitoring, bronchoprovocation testing, and biomarker assessment.
• Classify asthma severity retrospectively based on treatment requirements and assess asthma control using validated instruments including the GINA symptom control assessment, Asthma Control Test (ACT), and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ).
• Implement the GINA 2024 stepwise treatment algorithm, differentiating between Track 1 (ICS-formoterol reliever) and Track 2 (SABA reliever) approaches and making appropriate treatment adjustments based on control status and risk factors.
• Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action, clinical indications, patient selection criteria, dosing regimens, and clinical evidence for all FDA-approved biologic therapies for severe asthma, including omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab.
• Demonstrate and teach proper inhaler technique for pressurized metered-dose inhalers (with and without spacers), dry powder inhalers, soft mist inhalers, and nebulizers, recognizing common errors and selecting appropriate devices for individual patients.
• Develop comprehensive, individualized asthma action plans that incorporate patient education principles, symptom recognition, appropriate use of controller and reliever medications, and clear criteria for seeking medical attention.
• Manage acute asthma exacerbations across the severity spectrum from mild episodes manageable with outpatient intensification through life-threatening exacerbations requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation.
• Adapt asthma management strategies for special populations including infants and young children, school-age children, adolescents, pregnant women, older adults, obese patients, and competitive athletes.
• Identify and address health disparities in asthma prevalence, severity, and outcomes among racial and ethnic minority groups, implementing culturally competent care strategies.
• Counsel patients on environmental trigger avoidance, smoking cessation, weight management, and other non-pharmacological interventions that complement medical therapy.

Course Information