Approach asthma treatment and management

Hartmann, C. W., Maio, V, Goldfarb, N. I., Cobb, N, Nash, D. B. (2005). Asthma

Management Programs in Managed Care Organizations. Disease Management,

8(6), 339-45.

The aim of this work was to investigate how managed care organizations (MCOs)

currently, approach asthma treatment and management and determine factors

affecting asthma outcomes. A Web-based survey was administered to a national

sample of 351 medical directors of MCOs to investigate the asthma management

program components in their organizations as well as gaps and barriers in the

management of patients with asthma. All 134 (38.2%) responding medical

directors reported that their organizations monitor asthma patients. Plans use a

variety of asthma management activities, including general member education

(90%), member education by mail (87%), self-management education (85%), and

provider education (82%). Educational resources (89%) and telephone advice

nurse (77%) were the most common self-management strategies offered. Among

factors impeding the provision of effective asthma care, virtually all respondents

cited noncompliance with asthma treatment, the inappropriate use of medications,

and the need for multiple medications. Health plans rely on an array of strategies

to manage asthma patients. Education encouraging patient self-management is a

key component of asthma management programs. However, a considerable

number of treatment approach barriers are impeding the achievement of proper

asthma care. Without innovative approaches to care, it appears that current MCOs’

asthma management efforts may not result in substantial improvements in asthma

outcomes.

A. What factors do you think prevent individual health care providers from

engaging in health promotion activities even when these activities are supported

by the managed care system in which they practice?

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B. Do you think the study results would have been different if the primary care

providers had answered the survey questions instead of the medical directors? If

the patients had answered the survey questions?

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