Asthma Workgroups

The Oregon Asthma Network has a number of working groups dedicated to focusing on specific asthma issues in Oregon.  The working groups are staffed by the Asthma Program and seek to bring together health care providers, people with asthma, health systems, and community organizations to address asthma needs that are identified by the Oregon Asthma Network.

Workgroup Descriptions

Physician's Advisory Council on Asthma
The purpose of the Physicians Advisory Council on Asthma (PAC) is to provide high-level guidance to the Oregon Asthma Program to promote a cooperative effort in improving asthma care in the primary care setting.

Asthma Data Workgroup
This group meets to provide expert advice on asthma data issues and develop methods of measuring medical and pharmacy claims for the asthma care measures outlined in The Guide to Improving Asthma Care in Oregon.  The Asthma Data Workgroup (ADWG) is composed primarily of representatives from data analysts and quality improvement coordinators from participating health plans and health systems, the Division of Medical Assistance Programs (DMAP, Oregon's Medicaid program), and the Oregon asthma program's epidemiologist.

Self-Management of Asthma Workgroup

The goal of this group is to ensure Oregonians with asthma and their caregivers have easy access to the information, skills, and support they need to manage asthma.  The workgroup completed the development of asthma education materials for the Oregon Asthma Resource Bank in 2006.  They are convened as needed to develp new topics and review new and revised materials

Schools and Asthma Workgroup

Members of this workgroup are taking steps to ensure that children and school staff with asthma and those who interact with them will have the informaiton, skills and support they need to manage the disease in order to enhance learning and maximize physical, social, and emotional health.  They are convened as needed as a whol or through special project groups.

Asthma Disparities Leadership Team

The Asthma Disparities Leadership team parovides guidance and support to Oregon's Pediatric Asthma Disparities Project.  The three priority areas of the Leadership Team are to improve pediatric asthma surveillance, improve asthma self-management, awareness, and education among low-income children and their caregivers, and to improve access to care for low-income and at-risk children who have asthma.

Provider Resources and Tools Workgroup

Concluded in 2005

This workgroup developed clinical tools and resources that enable health care providers to improve the clinical care and education they give to Oregonians with asthma for inclusion in the  Oregon Asthma Resource Bank.

Air Quality and Asthma Workgroup

Concluded in 2004

The goal of this workgroup is to ensure that Oregonians with asthma and at risk of developing asthma live, work and attend school in environments with good air quality.  The group is gathered educational materials on outdoor and indoor triggers of asthma for the Oregon Asthma Resource Bank.  Due to the existence of other goups addressing this issue, this workgroup no longer convenes.

Improving Asthma Care Workgroup

Concluded  in 2001

This workgroup developed The Guide to Improving Asthma Care in Oregon. The expert panel consisted of clinicians, health systems administrators, pharmacists, quality auditors, community organizations, researchers, and people with asthma. The Guide was developed through a consensus process and includes population-based goals and measurements.

If you have a suggestion for a working group topic, or if you would like to participate in a working group, please join the Oregon Asthma Network and indicate your interests on the signup form.

Oregon Asthma Program - 971-673-0984