Document Detail


Effectiveness of a computer-assisted asthma management program on physician adherence to guidelines.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20632781     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Asthma is an example of a chronic disease for which there are evidence-based guidelines for primary care. The authors undertook this study to demonstrate that physicians' use and adherence to asthma management guidelines are improved when the guidelines are furnished in a computer-based format. METHODS: Based on established guidelines, the authors devised a practical and simple computer-assisted program focused on asthma treatment and monitoring. They then undertook a preliminary investigation, "Easy Asthma Management (EAM)" study, using this program. Finally, the authors evaluated the program's effectiveness by measuring clinical outcomes and changes in prescription patterns before and after the study. RESULTS: A total of 4682 asthma patients followed by 377 physicians were recruited, and 2187 completed the study (46.7%). The means of diurnal and nocturnal symptom scores were significantly reduced after a 3-month enrollment in the EAM study. Interestingly, the fraction of prescriptions for oral beta(2)-agonists, oral methylxanthines, and systemic steroids (oral or injection) significantly decreased after the EAM study (p = .02, p <.001, p <.001, respectively), whereas the fraction of prescriptions for inhaled forms of steroids combined with beta(2)-agonists increased significantly (p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a computer-assisted asthma management program can be used to improve the clinical outcomes of patients with asthma, and increase physician adherence to established guidelines.
Authors:
Sang-Heon Cho; Jae-Won Jeong; Heung-Woo Park; Bok-Yang Pyun; Suk-Il Chang; Hee-Bom Moon; You-Young Kim; Byoung Whui Choi
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma     Volume:  47     ISSN:  1532-4303     ISO Abbreviation:  J Asthma     Publication Date:  2010 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-11     Completed Date:  2010-09-03     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8106454     Medline TA:  J Asthma     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  680-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anti-Asthmatic Agents / administration & dosage*
Asthma / drug therapy*,  immunology
Chi-Square Distribution
Decision Making, Computer-Assisted
Disease Management
Forced Expiratory Volume
Guideline Adherence*
Guidelines as Topic
Humans
Physicians
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Asthmatic Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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