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Oral corticosteroid (OCS) overuse in asthma is common and harmful. While effective for acute exacerbations and severe asthma, widespread and excessive use of OCS can cause significant side effects. This module aims to raise primary care practitioners' awareness of oral corticosteroid overuse in asthma, its risks, and to help them reduce and prevent unnecessary OCS use in both acute and chronic care.
Learning outcomes
By completing this learning activity, participants will be able to:
Outline the current use and overuse of oral corticosteroids (OCS) in asthma management
Explain the benefit and potential harms associated with short-term, long-term and cumulative impact of OCS use
Describe patient-specific treatable traits that can be addressed to improve asthma control and thus reduce need for OCS
Identify strategies to minimise OCS use and prevent overuse in both acute and chronic asthma care
Apply OCS stewardship principles, including monitoring for and treating OCS side effects
New activity
Update your awareness of oral corticosteroid overuse in asthma for Asthma Week 1-7 September 2025
Oral corticosteroids in asthma: Navigating between benefits and harms - Education
Oral corticosteroids in asthma: Navigating between benefits and harms - Evaluation
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