Rethinking asthma education: a practical approach to improve treatment outcomes.

Many asthma-related hospitalizations are preventable with appropriate access to care as well as adherence to lifestyle modifications and medical treatment, yet as many as half of all patients with asthma fail to adhere to treatment as prescribed. Identifying the specific barriers affecting a patient and engaging with the patient in active planning to overcome adherence barriers is a practical strategy for achieving and sustaining adherence to long-term therapy.