Dr Michelle Stubbs

Living well with severe asthma can be challenging. People with severe asthma can be refractory to treatment, can experience poor symptom control and are at a heightened risk of death. Patients experience symptoms of shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and wheeze. These symptoms influence many aspects of an individual¿s life, resulting in emotional, financial, functional and medication-related burdens that negatively impact quality of life. Quality of life is known to be influenced by individual levels of satisfaction that stem from real-life treatment experiences. This experience is portrayed through the lens of the patient, which is commonly referred to as the patient perspective. The patient perspective is only one element of the patient experience. It influences health status, which, in severe asthma, is commonly assessed using validated health-related quality of life measures. A positive patient perspective may be achieved with implementation of management strategies tailored to individual needs. Management strategies developed in partnership between the patient, the severe asthma multidisciplinary team and the general practitioner may minimise disease-related impairment, allowing patients to live well with severe asthma.

All patients and family members experience some level of anxiety upon entry into the operating suite for any type of surgical procedure. This level of anxiety initiates the implementation of a surgical liaison nurse (SLN). Addressing this issue introduces an imperative nursing role. The SLN networks with families, surgeons and associated hospital units to provide not only information but also support in the most anxious times endured in a hospital stay. It should be noted that information narrated by the SLN is of a general nature and does not include specific medical details relating to surgery. Recognising that compassionate words provided by an SLN can provide a great deal of comfort has redesigned the journey of surgical patients.