Resp Care
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The effectiveness of collaborative self-management of respiratory disorders has been most clearly demonstrated in asthma. In both adults and children with severe asthma requiring emergency care and hospitalizations, collaborative self-management can decrease not only the need for emergency care and hospitalization but also time lost from work and school, thereby increasing the patients' ability to be full and active participants in the community. Collaborative self-management is best provided in a comprehensive program that includes ready access to healthcare professionals, education, behavioral therapy, and peak-flow monitoring. ⋯ Even if medical investigations had not demonstrated any beneficial effects of collaborative self-management, patients have the right to participate in decisions affecting their healthcare and are increasingly exercising that right. Respiratory care practitioners are in a unique position to enhance collaborative self-management. In the home environment, RCPs can foster smoking cessation and serve as a liaison between patients and physicians.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)