Learn and Teach about Asthma is not the usual community asthma program. It is innovative and unique in three ways. First, our target audience is front-line health care providers and educators: licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, child care educators, and community outreach workers. This is a group who can have a big impact on the care of persons with asthma. The second unique feature of this program is that it is provided in English and in Spanish simultaneously with both English and Spanish speaking faculty. This allows participants who learn better in their native Spanish language to participate fully in the presentations. Third, this course helps us achieve part of our goal to reduce racial and ethnic disparities among health care workers, as well as patients. Additionally, to address the barrier of childcare, we provided free childcare with a certified child care educator who engaged the children in fun and age-appropriate activities.
Learn and Teach about Asthma was a half-day of learning and fun that not only included excellent asthma presentations, there was also Continuing Education Units for licensed individuals, Certificates of Completion for all others and an opportunity to try lung function testing (Spirometry). The course ended with an exciting game of Asthma Bingo and prizes that all enjoyed. It was indeed time well spent for participants and faculty alike.
Learn and Teach about Asthma was developed by Partners Asthma Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and is a collaborative effort with our community partners: The Boston Public Health Commission, Brookside Community Health Center, and Children’s Hospital Boston.