A snapshot of general practitioner attitudes, levels of confidence and self-reported paediatric asthma management practice
Jessica K. Roydhouse A , Smita Shah B H , Brett G. Toelle C , Susan M. Sawyer D , Craig M. Mellis E , Tim P. Usherwood F , Peter Edwards G and Christine R. Jenkins CA Sydney Nursing School, CNRU, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Primary Health Care Education and Research Unit, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
C Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia.
D Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia.
E Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
F Department of General Practice, Sydney Medical School – Western, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
G Holroyd Medical Practice, Merrylands, NSW 2160, Australia.
H Corresponding author. Email: smita_shah@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 17(3) 288-293 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY11009
Submitted: 28 January 2011 Accepted: 21 March 2011 Published: 5 September 2011
Abstract
The prevalence of asthma in Australia is high. Previous findings have suggested that asthma management, particularly in primary care, remains suboptimal and recent government initiatives to improve asthma management and encourage the use of written asthma action plans (WAAPs) in general practice have been implemented. We aimed to assess the attitudes, confidence and self-reported paediatric asthma management practices of a convenience sample of Australian general practitioners (GPs). A baseline questionnaire was administered to GPs as part of a randomised controlled trial. General practitioners (GPs) were recruited from two areas of greater metropolitan Sydney, NSW between 2006 and 2008. Invitations were sent to an estimated 1200 potentially eligible GPs. Of 150 (12.5%) GPs that enrolled, 122 (10.2%) completed the baseline questionnaire. Though 89% were aware of the Australian National Asthma Guidelines, less than 40% were familiar with guideline recommendations. While 85.2% had positive attitudes towards WAAPs, only 45.1% reported providing them frequently. For children with frequent symptoms, 90% agreed they should prescribe daily, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and 83% reported currently prescribing ICS to such patients. These findings indicate gaps between GP attitudes and behaviours and highlights opportunities for interventions to improve paediatric asthma management.
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