Improving paediatric asthma outcomes in primary health care

January 01, 0001

Improving paediatric asthma outcomes in primary health care

The aim of this randomised controlled trial by researchers from Australia was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Practitioner Asthma Communication and Education (PACE) Australia program, an innovative communication and paediatric asthma management program for general practitioners. It involved 150 GPs from two regions in metropolitan Sydney, who were recruited between 2006 and 2008, and 221 children with asthma in their care. GPs in the intervention group participated in two 3-hour workshops, focusing on communication and education strategies to facilitate quality asthma care.

More patients of GPs in the intervention group reported receipt of a written asthma action plan (WAAP) (difference, 15%). In the intervention group, children with infrequent intermittent asthma symptoms had lower use of inhaled corticosteroids (difference, 24%) and long-acting bronchodilators (difference, 19%). GPs in the intervention group were more confident when communicating with patients (difference 22%). A higher proportion of GPs in the intervention group reported providing a WAAP more than 70% of the time (difference, 23%) and prescribing spacer devices more than 90% of the time (difference, 29%).

The researchers concluded: "The PACE Australia program improved GPs’ asthma management practices and led to improvements in some important patient outcomes."

Any surprises here? Do these study measures imply improved outcome or a reduction in poor management?

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 195(7):405-409, 3 October 2011 © 2011 to The Medical Journal of Australia
Improving paediatric asthma outcomes in primary health care: a randomised controlled trial. Smita Shah, Susan M Sawyer, Brett G Toelle et al. Correspondence to Smita Shah: smita_shah@wsahs.nsw.gov.au

Category: R. Respiratory. Keywords: asthma, pediatric, outcomes, primary care, randomised controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 21 October 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.