Physicians' Assessment of Asthma Control in Low vs. High Asthma-Related Morbidity Regions

• Published in: The Journal of asthma Vol. 41; no. 8; pp. 813 - 824
• Main Authors: Boulet, Louis-Philippe, Thivierge, Robert L., Bellera, Carine, Dorval, Eileen, Collet, Jean-Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - therapeutic use; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - epidemiology; Asthma care; Asthma control; Asthma treatment; Bronchodilators; Cohort Studies; Corticosteroids; Disease management; Drug Utilization; Family Practice; Female; Guideline Adherence; Health care use; Health Services - utilization; Humans; Male; Medical practice; Metered Dose Inhalers - utilization; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Outpatients; Patient Compliance; Patient Education as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians; Quebec - epidemiology; Quebec
• ISSN: 0277-0903; 1532-4303
• DOI: 10.1081/JAS-200038426

Objectives: To analyze physician-assessed asthma control and care compared with current guidelines criteria, in a cohort of patients from a high (HMR) vs. low asthma-related morbidity region (LMR), as determined by a large-scale populational survey (asthma cartography). Design: Analysis of questionnaires provided by 47 primary care physicians and asthmatic patients (HMR: 74; LMR: 73). Results: Asthma control was often suboptimal in both regions. In both regions, asthma control, the pattern of prescriptions for asthma, patient compliance, and referral for asthma education were similar; 32% of patients had been referred for asthma education, whereas 65% wanted to know more about their asthma. Conclusions: Results of regional local cohort studies differ from those of a "population cartography," the former probably more likely reflecting individual medical practices of physicians interested in taking part in such studies.