Is there still a need for a programme of education to improve the management of acute asthma in UK primary care?

Abstract

Despite Guidelines for the Management of Asthma there is a concern that the management of acute asthma in primary care remains sub-optimal. The General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG) has responded to this concern by designing an acute asthma audit tool for use as part of a Professional Development Plan 59 GP practices, in Aberdeen and Peterhead, Scotland, UK, were invited to participate in a local pilot study evaluating a GPIAG acute asthma educational initiative. Participating practices undertook a baseline audit. They identified prospectively all attacks occurring to asthmatics (excluding children <5yrs) over a 3-month period (January to March 2002) and completed an adverse occurrence analysis form for each episode. Data was collected retrospectively from the patient's written/computer records. Organisational information was also collected about the practices. 23 practices were recruited following a written invitation followed up with a phone call. The results of the baseline audit will be presented and compared to standards set from national guidelines and published primary care audits. Data will be presented on the practices' organisation: availability of peak flow meters, nebulisers, oxygen, soluble prednisolone, management protocols. The adverse occurrence analysis will provide data about the process of care in the practices: assessment of severity, use of emergency bronchodilation, use of systemic steroids, referral to hospital Published audits suggest that recommended management guidelines are not being adhered to. The baseline audit data from this pilot study will establish whether a need still exists for an educational intervention. Grampian Health Board