Click here to view the referenced article on the World Allergy Organization website
Global Asthma Physician and Patient (GAPP) Survey
Results from the first global quantitative survey on the unmet needs in asthma revealed differences in perception between physician and patient assessments of asthma treatment and patient education.
The study was conducted across 16 countries and included 3459 interviews including 1726 adults over the age of 18 years, diagnosed with asthma and 1733 physicians who treat adult asthmatics.1
Survey results suggested a gap in physician and patient communication. In each country surveyed, patients and physicians reported extremely different accounts of the amount of time spent on education during office visits. "23% of patients estimated that no time during their office visits is spent discussing techniques for successful asthma management; yet, 87% of physicians estimated that up to half of the time during appointments is spent discussing techniques for successful asthma management."1
The study also indicated that many patients do not seem to comprehend the severity of asthma, with more than half of patients not knowing that asthma attacks can be fatal in patients with mild asthma. Based on survey results, patients do not seem to understand asthma treatment and its management as much as physicians believe they do.
Patient compliance was also highlighted as a major area of concern in the study. "Only 26% of patients report that they are compliant with medication 51-99% of the time, while 65% of physicians believe their patients comply 51-99% of the time".1
The initial survey results indicate a disparity in physician and patient communication. Patient education and the development of an asthma action plan are essential steps in managing asthma.
The AeroChamber* brand of Valved Holding Chamber (VHC) and TruZone* Peak Flow Meter (PFM) are an effective combination for better asthma management. The AeroChamber* brand of VHC helps to ensure that aerosol medication gets where it's needed - the patient's lungs. Used daily, the TruZone* PFM can alert patients to unfavourable changes in peak expiratory flows even before symptoms present.
Healthcare professionals should talk with their asthma patients, educating them on successful asthma management techniques, with the goal of increasing patient compliance and hence improving health outcomes.
1World Allergy Organization (WAO)
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