Selective provision of asthma self-management tools to families

Michael D. Cabana, D. Curt Chaffin, Leah G. Jarlsberg, Shannon M.Thyne, Noreen M. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Providing asthma education in a primary care setting can be challenging because of time and resource constraints. The purpose of this work was to determine factors associated with the provision of different asthma self-management tools. METHODS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 896 parents of children with asthma (age 2-12 years). We collected information regarding demographics and asthma care, including parent receipt of an asthma action plan, a symptom diary, and asthma information materials;whether an asthma management plan was sent to the child's school;and whether the physician reviewed written instructions on use of a metered- dose inhaler. We used multivariate logistic regression methods to determine factors associated with receipt of different asthma self-management tools controlling for demographic factors. RESULTS. For families where parents only completed high school, there was greater likelihood of receipt of an asthma action plan and physician review of written instructions about how to use an inhaler. For families with a household income less than twice the poverty line, there was greater likelihood of receipt of an asthma action plan, the physician sending a letter to the child's school regarding the child's asthma, and receipt of an asthma symptom diary. CONCLUSIONS. In our sample, primary care pediatricians do not routinely provide asthma education in accordance with National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute asthma guidelines and "triage" which families receive additional asthma education. We believe that the use of targeted asthma education is a symptom of the limited time and competing demands during a typical visit. As a result, those involved in quality improvement need to help physicians become more efficient and effective at providing asthma education within such time constraints or develop alternative systems of providing asthma education.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e900-e905
JournalPediatrics
Volume121
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Asthma action plan
  • Asthma diary
  • Physician guideline adherence
  • Physician practice patterns

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Selective provision of asthma self-management tools to families'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this