What is it about?
This is an introduction to the use of Maintenance And Reliever Therapy [MART] for children and young people. It first explains what MART is, the guidance and governance around use of single devices in the context of the national & global asthma guidelines. It then explores which patients may benefit, how to effectively implement, how to assess appropriateness, teach device technique and practical ways to consult with your young patients. It then explores practical ways to do the above with young people and how to gauge efficacy and response in your young patients.
Featured Image
Photo by Aedrian on Unsplash
Why is it important?
The global asthma guidelines increasingly [GINA] promote MART therapy - whilst we await combined BTS/SIGN & NICE asthma guidelines shortly, it is becoming apparent that MART is both effective and carbon friendlier for our young patients. However, it is often misunderstood or utilised inappropriately- this article explores when, how and why to implement MART, and how to check efficacy.
Perspectives
As a clinical nurse specialist who has worked largely in deprived areas, with diverse population and hideous air pollution (and therefore a large pool of poorly controlled patients) MART is something I feel passionate about. When used appropriately and effectively it can be a life-changing therapy for young people, alongside reducing individual carbon emissions - from the devices and lack of acute attack.
Laura King
Barts Health, London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Maintenance And Reliever Therapy (MART) for young people with asthma, Journal of Prescribing Practice, December 2023, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/jprp.2023.5.12.510.
You can read the full text:
Resources
How and are you talking about air pollution? Laura King, July 2023 - Journal of GP Nursing
An article written by the same author around air pollution in day-to-day consultations.
National care bundle for children with asthma: what does it mean? (Part 1: Introduction) December 2022, JGPN
This article introduces the NHS England national care bundle for children with asthma, the main themes, and what is expected of clinicians in primary care. This is the first phase of a national plan to improve asthma care, with a focus on integration of systems and effective communication. It follows several high-profile reports, national and global guidelines, with the aim of training clinicians to consistent standards, keeping children and young people with asthma well, improving diagnosis, patient pathways and encouraging self-management. It explores the main themes of the asthma care bundle, and what it means for clinicians across the spheres from primary through to tertiary specialist care.
National care bundle for children with asthma: what does it mean? (Part 2: Practical Implementation in Primary Care) March 2023, JGPN
The national care bundle for children with asthma is the first phase of a national plan to improve asthma care, focusing on integration of systems and effective communication. It follows several high-profile reports, national and global guidelines, with the aim of training clinicians to consistent standards, keeping children and young people (CYP) with asthma well, improving diagnosis, patient pathways and encouraging self-management. This article, the second in a two-part series, explores practical ways to implement the bundle in clinical practice and how to meet its requirements.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
