WHAT DO SCHOOL TEACHERS KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA

The results of a survey of 98 primary school teachers in inner London showed that they had only limited understanding of asthma and its management. Few teachers had received any teaching or training about the condition; the arrangements for giving antiasthmatic drugs were generally unsatisfactory and caused unnecessary disruption to the child's school life as well as preventing effective treatment. Training in the nature and treatment of common diseases like asthma should be made available for groups such as schoolteachers who are responsible for children so that optimal health care is ensured.