The stigmatization of asthma

On Monday, December 2nd, 2013, at McMaster University, a student inquiry group performed a short monologue for Hamilton high school students about the stigmatization of asthma through various stages of a patient's life. The speaker, Bushra Habib, played an asthma educator giving an informative presentation to an asthma support group for friends and family of individuals with severe asthma.The play examines the stigma faced by severely asthmatic patients during childhood, adolescence and adulthood, as well as the impacts that it can have on self-management, mental and physiological health. The role of asthma educators in helping improve patient outcomes is discussed, and strategies for other healthcare professionals and loved ones to provide support were mentioned.This talk was prepared by undergraduate students at McMaster University as part of the "HTH SCI 4DM3: Demystifying Medicine" course. Bushra Habib is an undergraduate Life Science Student.