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A snapshot of general practitioner attitudes, levels of confidence and self-reported paediatric asthma management practice
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 10:49 authored by Jessica RoydhouseJessica Roydhouse, Shah, S, Toelle, BG, Sawyer, SM, Mellis, CM, Usherwood, TP, Edwards, P, Jenkins, CRThe 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.
History
Publication title
Australian Journal of Primary HealthVolume
17Pagination
288-293ISSN
1448-7527Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
CSIRO PublishingPlace of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright La Trobe University 2011Repository Status
- Restricted