Pediatricians 'Champion' Patient-Centered Asthma, Allergy and Anaphylaxis Care

USA - English

• USA - English

VIENNA, Va., Dec. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pediatricians are often the first to diagnose and treat childhood asthma and allergies. That's why Allergy & Asthma Network, the leading nonprofit patient advocacy organization, has partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to provide training and resources for pediatricians and pediatric specialists in support of the AAP's Medical Home Chapter Champions Program on Asthma, Allergy and Anaphylaxis.

"The Chapter Champions program has helped the Network engage with pediatricians and pediatric specialists to provide support for patients, raise awareness of asthma and allergies, and make an impact in their communities," says Tonya Winders, president and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. "By encouraging appropriate referrals to specialists and sharing educational resources, including webinars and the monthly Champions E-Correspondence newsletter, we expand our network of healthcare professionals and promote patient-centered, team-based care."

The Chapter Champions – 50+ volunteer healthcare professionals across the country – also help reinforce guidelines-based asthma and allergy care messages in their states and disseminate Network resources, including the quarterly Allergy & Asthma Today magazine, AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org website, E-newsletter and social media.

In support of the goal of the Chapter Champions program, the Network conducted educational sessions in 35 U.S. cities, training 600+ pediatric healthcare professionals. At the sessions, leading asthma and allergy specialists presented case studies and best practice recommendations, offering targeted information on treatment of these complex conditions.

Among the key issues addressed:

• Making accurate diagnoses, confirmed with diagnostic tests;
• Importance of using Asthma and Anaphylaxis Action Plans;
• Improved patient demonstration of correct use of allergy and asthma medications;
• Greater awareness of epinephrine auto-injectors as the first line of defense for anaphylaxis;
• Advocating for emergency supplies of albuterol (for asthma flares) and epinephrine (for anaphylaxis) in schools.

Continuing its partnership with AAP, the Network will host a symposium to reinforce guidelines-based care for life-threatening allergies and anaphylaxis at the 2016 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco, scheduled for Oct. 22-25.

The Network continues to recruit new Chapter Champion volunteers nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Mylan Specialty L.P. and MEDA U.S. serve as corporate sponsors for the program.

About Allergy & Asthma Network

Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. Allergy & Asthma Network specializes in sharing family-friendly, medically accurate information through its award-winning Allergy & Asthma Today magazine, E-newsletter, website at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org and numerous community outreach programs. Follow Allergy & Asthma Network on Facebook and Twitter at AllergyAsthmaHQ.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 64,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Visit www.aap.org.

Contact: Gary Fitzgerald
Allergy & Asthma Network
703-641-9595
[email protected]

SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Network

Related Links

http://www.aanma.org