How often should a patient with asthma see their healthcare provider?

For individuals with asthma, regular follow-up appointments are crucial for effective management of the condition. A recommendation of seeing a healthcare provider at least once or twice a year allows for timely assessments of asthma control and the effectiveness of management strategies. This frequency is important because it enables healthcare providers to make necessary adjustments to medications, provide education on proper inhaler technique, assess triggers, and enhance self-management skills.

In contrast to seeing a provider only during an asthma attack, which would limit proactive care and risk poor management of the condition, or attending appointments monthly without need, which may not be practical for many patients, a balanced approach of once or twice a year—with the option for more visits if symptoms worsen—provides a structured yet flexible framework that can help patients maintain better control over their asthma.