Achieving Asthma Control "By The Numbers": A Canadian Stepcare Protocol

Abstract

Interview with Dr KR Chapman, MD, MSc, FRCP(C), FACP Q: Could you give short synopsis of the Canadian Step Care Protocol in the Management of Asthma. The most impoftant point to make about the Protocol is that it is a flexible Protocol in which patients and physicians share the care. That means that patients must be fully aware of what the goals of treatment are and what the signs of changing asthma are, so that they can respond accordingly and move from minimal treatment to more aggressive treatment or at times of marked exacerbation, move themselves all the way up to systemic steroids if need be. So it is a flexible plan in which physician and patient are partners. The plan indicates first that any external influences making the asthma troublesome, ie cigarette smoking, allergens, occupational exposure, should be removed. If the asthma remains troublesome then of course we prescribe medications and there are four levels of medication administration.