The asthma year in Swedish pharmacies: a nationwide information and pharmaceutical care program for patients with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To increase the understanding of asthma among patients and the general public in Sweden and to increase the collaboration among healthcare personnel for the benefit of asthma patients.


METHODS
Based on the results from problem detection studies, Apoteksbolaget, the national organization for pharmacies in Sweden, designed a program to educate healthcare professionals and the public about asthma. Entitled the "Asthma Year," all pharmacy staffs were offered education on asthma, patients were provided written information and audiovisual materials, and the general public was made more aware of asthma through local media.


METHODS
Pharmacies, healthcare centers, hospital outpatient areas, libraries, places of work, and domestic airports.


METHODS
All pharmacy staffs (12,000 persons) were offered an education on asthma. Patients with asthma were offered brochures and leaflets in pharmacies and information in the pharmacy magazine Apoteket. The general public received information about asthma through posters, radio, and television.


METHODS
The evaluations of the Asthma Year indicate that the activities had an impact on the public, on patients with asthma, and on the pharmacy staffs.


RESULTS
About 4.5 million people in Sweden (42% of the population) observed the Asthma Year or received information about asthma, and 49% of the patients learned something new about their disease. Twice as many patients used steroid therapy regularly after the campaign than before. Of the pharmacy staffs, 96% were favorable to the idea of working with campaign years and 85% believed that they were personally involved with the activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient outcomes in terms of reduced morbidity have not been possible to document, but the number of deaths from asthma in Sweden decreased from 438 during the previous year to 398 during the Asthma Year.
Lisper
B
B
Apoteksbolaget, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nilsson
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden