Simplifying the new asthma guidelines

The new joint asthma guidelines from the British Thoracic Society, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence¹ have, in general, been well-received by the respiratory community. However, the impact of these guidelines will only be felt if they are implemented successfully. The key changes in both the diagnosis and management of asthma will require clinicians to make significant changes to established practice in both of these areas and if clinicians are struggling to change their practice, people living with asthma (PLwA) will too. It is essential then that clinicians understand what the changes are, why they have been recommended and how to communicate them to PLwA. The aim of this article, then, is to set out in simple terms, the recommendations for diagnosing asthma in adults and children, and to describe the changes to asthma management in both of these populations.