title: Using patient passports to improve A&E asthma care.
abstract: The asthma patient passport (APP) is a patient-specific asthma plan that details what to do when asthma is out of control. It helps patients who have severe, difficult-to-manage asthma, and health professionals when these patients present at accident and emergency. This article shows that, while the APP acts as a patient's advocate, it also facilitates accessing emergency care by making it more streamlined. Case studies explore why people with asthma have avoided going to A&E, putting their lives at risk, and provide an insight into how difficult it can be for people to navigate the healthcare system when they are at their most vulnerable.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Newell
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bunce
authors.forename: Shenagh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hume
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult