August 17, 2007  

This meeting focused on the 2007 NIH Asthma Guidelines Update and how the AAI Professional Education Committee can assist INJAC in program development and information dissemination of the guidelines update.     

Discussion Items

Educational Materials

Several options were discussed such as a laminated quick reference card, electronic media such as a link to the new guidelines information on the AAI home page, a CD-ROM that can be available for distribution through AAI / INJAC during professional educational conferences, work shops, and to organization members. Also discussed was how the content should be designed in a user specific format, i.e. healthcare professional, public and caregiver (parent / guardian).  NAECB How will the National Asthma Educator Certification Board approach the update? At what point after the update is released will the NAECB include this in the exam matrix? Dan will contact the NAECB to find out.

How To Best Disseminate The 2007 Asthma Update Information

The plan is to develop and design a standardized presentation program and to identify experts that will deliver the information statewide in 2008. Likely arenas include annual conferences and seminars. The ISRC has been contacted regarding the 2008 ISRC Annual Seminar. Clarian sponsors multiple seminars annually. Presenting the information to respiratory care students through college programs was also an idea. Discussion regarding paper and electronic surveys in an effort to gather information from health care professionals as to how this population of asthma caregivers would prefer to obtain the 2007 asthma update information. A paper survey could be used during the September ISRC Annual Seminar, an electronic survey could be used on the AAI website.  Is The Public Aware That An Update Is Planned For Release?          Discussion regarding public awareness of the 2007 asthma update. Are parents / guardians, school nurses, and other citizens who are active in asthma initiatives aware that an update is coming? Web sites such as Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Kids Health for Parents, etc. are primary information resources for asthma caregivers. 

• The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 21^st.    
• Friday, September 21^st
• Friday, November 16^th