AAREA Website: Strategic Plan

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
A SUMMARY

THIS SUMMARY OUTLINES THE MAIN DIRECTIONS FOR THE AAREA INC. TO THE YEAR 2010

The Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Association is a national network of health professionals (multidisciplinary) working in the field of asthma / respiratory education. It offers training, professional development and credentialing programs in addition to providing representation, information, support and a professional network for asthma and respiratory educators throughout metropolitan, rural and remote regions of Australia.

AAREA was launched by the Governor of NSW on 28 February 2006 at the University of Sydney, with support from the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging, the National Asthma Council and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. The formation of AAREA brings together the New South Wales and Victorian Asthma Educator associations, and the informal professional groups from the remaining states and territories. The parent groups were formed in 1990/91 to address issues and difficulties commonly experienced by health professionals developing and providing asthma / respiratory education services. These problems ranged from issues such as geographical and professional isolation to the lack of resources available for asthma / respiratory education.

The associations’ mission is to work in partnership to deliver of best practice education in asthma and respiratory disease throughout Australia.

Objectives of the Association

Promote patient and carer access to asthma and respiratory education services
Implement National standards and frameworks for professional training and credentialing
Deliver a national professional development program for health professionals working in the field of asthma and respiratory education
Lobby for research and training opportunities in the practice of asthma and respiratory health education
Promote awareness of asthma and respiratory health education as an integral part of the optimal management and prevention of respiratory disease across the age spectrum

Over the past 16 years, a great deal has been achieved by Asthma and Respiratory Educators. Some examples of this have been the creation of Standards for Asthma Educators, Competency Standards for Asthma Educators, the development of a post graduate university course at Charles Sturt University, the training of nearly 400 asthma educators, the national newsletter, the revised networking directory, and the provision of ongoing professional development program including the Biennial National Symposium. The aim of this summary is to provide a guide for AAREA members as well as health service providers in their planning for asthma and respiratory education services.

K Langbridge

President, AAREA