New digitised asthma action plan makes it easier to manage asthma

National Asthma Council Australia today announced the launch of a new Asthma Buddy mobile website, an easy-to-use and take-anywhere asthma management tool.

Preserving all existing functionalities, the improved Asthma Buddy lives on a mobile-only website with enhanced flexibility and reliability, available at www.asthmabuddy.org.au.

The mobile-only website can house complete asthma action plans so patients can refer to it to know what daily asthma medication to take. It will also help them recognise if their asthma is getting worse and give them advice on what they should do in response.

“Asthma Buddy is an industry leading asthma management tool developed by the National Asthma Council,” said Dr Jonathan Burdon AM, Chairman, National Asthma Council. “It is based on the National Asthma Council’s evidence-based written asthma action plan template.”

“It can be personalised to suit each patient’s need and help them and/or their caregivers take early action to prevent and reduce the severity of an asthma attack.” 

Similar to a phone app, the mobile-only website is easily accessible through any mobile devices, making it convenient for people with asthma to keep their asthma action plans handy.

A key feature of Asthma Buddy is its ability to house multiple profiles under one account, making it easy for caregivers to manage medications for different people under their care.

“Asthma Buddy is a useful and effective tool for caregivers, such as mums, to be on top of their children’s asthma action plans,” said Dr Burdon. “It makes caring for multiple people with asthma more manageable.”

Other features of Asthma Buddy include users being able to:

• Record a preventer and reliever medication plan.
• Help recognise whether symptoms (or peak flow measurements) are getting worse, and when to get help immediately.
• Know what to do in case of an emergency including easy access to the First Aid for Asthma instructions on a mobile device.
• Share PDF copies of asthma action plan with others, such as a GP and carers.
• Record and access the contact details for a GP or emergency contact person.
• Access National Asthma Council’s library of How-To videos including clips showing the correct use of various asthma and COPD inhalers.

Dr Burdon stressed the importance of providing patients with an up-to-date individualised written asthma action plan.

“Asthma action plans are proven to be one of the most effective asthma management tools available. Now patients and parents can input their plan to Asthma Buddy and take it with them wherever they go.” 

As a leading organisation for asthma knowledge, the National Asthma Council promotes best-practice care to people with asthma and their families.

The launch of Asthma Buddy is funded by GSK Australia. The National Asthma Council retained editorial control.

Media enquiries

For further information, or to arrange an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact:

Lelde McCoy, the Reputation Group  Tel: 03 9645 7755 Mob: 0417 362 768 Email: [email protected]