Asthma Podcast Series

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A group of clinical experts discussing asthma, with text overlay including questions about asthma severity, breathing difficulties, and mould-related concerns.

HIYOS GP Practice presents a four‑part asthma podcast series hosted by a GP and the practice manager Saira, who shares her lived experience of asthma. The series combines clinical guidance with real‑world tips to help patients recognise symptoms, reduce triggers, respond to emergencies and improve daily control.

The project improved patient education with clinician‑led content, strengthened self‑management (inhaler technique, action plans and trigger control), and increased engagement by incorporating lived experience. It supported faster reviews and better care coordination, clarified emergency actions to reduce harm, delivered culturally appropriate advice for diverse patients, and produced durable resources (recordings and summaries) for ongoing access.

How we did this — three‑stage approach

Listen

  • Reviewed local data sources: public health reports, hospital attendance and admission statistics, and primary‑care records to identify priority topics.
  • Analysed patient feedback and service gaps from practice surveys and asthma clinic referrals.
  • Used social media and podcast analytics to gauge audience interest and refine topic choices.

Co‑create

  • Worked collaboratively with clinicians, practice staff and patients (lived‑experience contributors) to define learning objectives.
  • Held planning sessions to prioritise topics, structure episodes and agree practical key messages.
  • Tested content drafts with patients and asthma nurses to ensure clinical accuracy and real‑world relevance.

Innovate

  • Developed episode scripts and demonstration plans (peak flow, inhaler technique).
  • Recorded on‑site at the practice, filmed demonstrations and captured lived‑experience interviews.
  • Edited audio/video, produced show notes and blog summaries, and prepared shareable assets for social and patient communications.

Episode highlights

What is asthma?

Understand airway inflammation, common symptoms (wheeze, breathlessness, chest tightness, cough), diagnostic tools (history, peak flow, spirometry) and core treatments.

Learn the difference between reliever and preventer inhalers, correct inhaler technique, and the importance of a personalised asthma action plan and regular reviews. 

Triggers

Identify personal triggers—dust, smoke, pets, pollen, mould, cold air, and cleaning products.

Practical measures (ventilation, dehumidifiers, anti‑allergy bedding, gentler cleaning, air‑quality/pollen checks) to lower flare‑up risk. 

Asthma attacks

Follow UK aligned emergency steps. Sit upright, stay calm, use the blue reliever (salbutamol) via spacer. One puff every 30–60s up to 10 puffs. If no better, call 999 or if improvement or severe signs.

Arrange an urgent GP/asthma‑nurse review after any attack to update treatment and action plans. 

Mould & damp

Learn to spot hidden mould and tackle damp at the root. Reduce indoor humidity (aim <50%) with extractor fans, ventilation and dehumidifiers, replace damp soft furnishings, report structural damp to landlords. Finally, seek clinical review if mould worsens asthma control.

Listen to the full episodes for demonstrations and lived experience insights, and book an asthma review for inhaler technique checks, peak‑flow/spirometry testing, and a personalised action plan.

If you’re concerned about any of the points mentioned, please reach out to your GP.

Asthma Podcasts

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