Asthma in Spring - Allergies and Thunderstorm Asthma

Thunderstorm asthma is a spring time phenomenon that all health professionals in primary care need to be prepared for.

In collaboration with the National Asthma Council and the Victorian Tasmanian PHN Alliance, this session will focus on spring time asthma and allergic rhinitis and how to manage both conditions using the latest evidence-based guidelines. This session will also explore resources to help prepare your practice and patients for the thunderstorm asthma period.

Speakers

Debbie Rigby, Executive Clinical Lead - National Asthma Council

Debbie Rigby is an advanced practice pharmacists and asthma educator, and is the Clinical Executive Lead at National Asthma Council Australia. She is a Lung Foundation Australia COPD Advisory Committee and Primary Care Committee, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Primary Care Respirator Society UK, and the International Primary Care Respiratory Group. The Lung Foundation Australia honoured Debbie as the 2023 Lung Health Legend.

Dr Danny Csutoros - Senior Medical Advisor (Environment), Victorian Department of Health

Dr Danny is a public health physician working in environmental health at the Victorian Department of Health, where he has been deeply involved in thunderstorm asthma.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe the association between allergic rhinitis and asthma
• Summarise the treatment guidelines for allergic rhinitis
• Describe those at greater risk of thunderstorm asthma and the guidelines for management
• Summarise the importance of written asthma action plans and asthma first aid in thunderstorm asthma season
• Access and navigate official Victorian Department of Health resources for thunderstorm asthma