Asthma knowledge amongst paediatric trainees and parents

To achieve asthma control adequate knowledge of the disease is required. Knowledge levels of thirty five specialist registrars and one hundred and sixty parents of children attending an asthmatic clinic, prior to entry into a formalised asthma educational program, were assessed utilising a twenty stem questionnaire with eighty five statements. Three out of thirty five specialist registrars had adequate knowledge levels whilst the other thirty two had potentially adequate knowledge levels. Sixty two out of one hundred and sixty parents had potentially adequate knowledge levels and the other ninety eight had inadequate knowledge levels. Parental knowledge can be improved by formal educational programs. Deficiencies in doctors' knowledge should be addressed through a similar program rather than rely on experiential learning.