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As East Tennessee’s only certified asthma
educator, respiratory therapist Doug Masini’s
job is to help patients of all ages better
understand and manage their disease. That’s
especially good news for the people of this region,
considering that the incidence of asthma has risen
sharply in recent years.
In fact, East Tennessee is ranked as one of the
worst regions in the United States for asthma
sufferers. A report just released by the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America named Knoxville as
the worst American city for people with asthma.
Memphis was rated 6th, Nashville 9th, Johnson City
12th, and Chattanooga 17th.
Masini, who is director/assistant professor of the
cardiopulmonary science/respiratory therapist
program at East Tennessee State University, has
received Asthma Educator - Certified (AE-C)
credentialing from the National Asthma Educator
Certification Board. He currently assists Dr. Guha
Krishnaswamy, Chief of Allergy with ETSU Physicians
and Associates – Internal Medicine and the
Asthma Education Clinic, and Dr. Ricky Mohon and
Dr. Don Samples in the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at
ETSU Physicians and Associates – Pediatrics.
“My job begins after the patient has been
diagnosed and treated by a licensed physician or
physician extender. The focus of the AE-C is to
educate patients about 'asthma triggers' and their
medications – how to avoid things that may
trigger their asthma, when to use their medicines,
how to use them, and how not to use them – so
they can enjoy their lives with minimal disruption
caused by disease,” Masini said.
“Important issues we discuss may include
diverse topics such as smokers in the family,
relaxation and breathing exercises, the number of
pillows that they sleep on, bedding covers, laundry
detergents, pets, and environmental issues like
heat pumps and air conditioning and how often they
change home air filters.
“Patients are seeking information on asthma
and their medication. Unfortunately, many turn to
the Internet for answers, and much of the data
there is misleading or just plain wrong.”
Masini says he customizes a plan for each patient
that addresses issues such as the timing of
medication before an activity, using a peak flow
meter and spacer, how long before bedtime medicine
should be taken, and reducing the use of their
rescue inhaler. Most patients see him only once or
twice a year, and, in these sessions, he discusses
their progress, outlines new advances in asthma
controller medicines, and records data to provide
feedback to the patient, their family, and the
primary care physician.
“There are some patients who were taking
asthma medicine every four hours that now use
long-term asthma controllers one or two times per
day after receiving proper treatment and
education,” he said. “The training
includes use of a peak flow meter, an asthma diary,
and the ‘stoplight system.’” In
addition to the clinic, Masini frequently conducts
community outreach education with coaches,
educators, and others who work and interact with
asthma sufferers.
Masini notes the Asthma Education Clinic is
currently accepting referrals of new patients, and
he says that most major insurance companies can be
billed for services. For more information about the
ETSU Asthma Education Clinic, call (423)
439-7280.
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