Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2010 Oct;2(4):247-253. 10.4168/aair.2010.2.4.247.

Physicians' Preferences for Asthma Guidelines Implementation

• Kang MK
• Kim BK
• Kim TW
• Kim SH
• Kang HR
• Park HW
• Chang YS
• Kim SS
• Min KU
• Kim YY
• Cho SH

• KMID: 2260385
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2010.2.4.247

Abstract

PURPOSE
Patient care based on asthma guidelines is cost-effective and leads to improved treatment outcomes. However, ineffective implementation strategies interfere with the use of these recommendations in clinical practice. This study investigated physicians' preferences for asthma guidelines, including content, supporting evidence, learning strategies, format, and placement in the clinical workplace.
METHODS
We obtained information through a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was distributed to physicians attending continuing medical education courses and sent to other physicians by airmail, e-mail, and facsimile.
RESULTS
A total of 183 physicians responded (male to female ratio, 2.3:1; mean age, 40.4+/-9.9 years); 89.9% of respondents were internists or pediatricians, and 51.7% were primary care physicians. Physicians preferred information that described asthma medications, classified the disease according to severity and level of control, and provided methods of evaluation/treatment/monitoring and management of acute exacerbation. The most effective strategies for encouraging the use of the guidelines were through continuing medical education and discussions with colleagues. Physicians required supporting evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials and expert consensus. They preferred that the guidelines be presented as algorithms or flow charts/flow diagrams on plastic sheets, pocket cards, or in electronic medical records.
CONCLUSIONS
This study identified the items of the asthma guidelines preferred by physicians in Korea. Asthma guidelines with physicians' preferences would encourage their implementation in clinical practice.

Keyword

Asthma; practice guideline; physician's practice patterns

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Consensus
Surveys and Questionnaires
Education, Medical, Continuing
Electronic Health Records
Electronic Mail
Female
Humans
Korea
Learning
Patient Care
Physician's Practice Patterns
Physicians, Primary Care
Plastics
Surveys and Questionnaires
Plastics

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