On 24 February, the 3rd year L-CAS students attended an Asthma Symposium hosted by the UP Department of Family Medicine. The focus was on peer education and practical experience, therefore only two lectures were presented throughout the day – an overview of asthma (including physiology, pathophysiology and treatment) by Dr Schutte and Dr Claasen focused on the environmental aspects that play a role in asthma.

Students spent the rest of the day designing posters and t-shirts which revealed asthma truths. In groups, students could choose their own asthma topics (as these were displayed on the walls) and had ninety minutes to design products which could be used as materials to teach each other as well as community health workers and the community. Each group had the opportunity to present their poster and t-shirt, as well as take part in the fashion parade. The students were very creative with slogans such as ‘when asthma blows I suck my pump’, ‘get pumped for asthma’ and ‘Can I call you asthma? Cause you take my breath away’. Ultimately, students learnt creatively and taught confidently. As Dr Van Rooyen said: ‘Students are amazing teachers – they listen to each other and they have a lot of resources to build on!’

There were also three practical stations. The first focused on using the MDI (metered dose inhaler) and MDI medication correctly. At the second station students learnt the correct way of doing a peak flow measurement and interpreting and using the results. A peak flow competition was hosted at the last station. Everyone interested participated by blowing the peak flow. Using a formula that takes age, height, gender and maximum expected peak flow into consideration, the person who blew the hardest was found and awarded a slab of chocolate. Another contestant was inspired to stop smoking and received profound support from fellow students.

Students are praised for their enthusiasm and creativity – a day at varsity is always a successful day if students learn something new.