[Medical indoor environment counsellor (MIEC) in Burgundy: evaluation by physicians and patients]

Since December 2009, chest physicians and allergologists in Burgundy have been able to call upon a medical indoor environment counsellor (MIEC). The consultations are free for the patient and are undertaken following a medical referal after systematic cutaneous prick tests.

To describe the indications, the distribution of prescriptions and to measure the impact of the counsellor's visits on the first 100 patients at 6 months and on the physicians at 18 months.

Telephone interviews with the 67 physicians (whether prescribers or not) concerning their motivation and/or expectations, and with the first 100 patients concerning follow up of the recommendations.

Seventy percent of the physicians replied (n=47). The satisfaction of prescribers (n=22) was 8.42/10. The indications were rhinitis and a poorly controlled asthma. The requests concerned the search for dust mite (50%) and moulds (46%). Eighty-four percent of the physicians discussed the MIEC's report with the patients. The patients' symptoms were rhinitis (79%), asthma (57%) and conjunctivitis (33%). The Acarex test(®), performed in cases of positive prick tests to house dust mites (n=72), was strongly positive for 67 patients. Sixteen mould samples out of 21 were above the standard concentrations. Sixty-nine patients had followed the recommendations of the MIEC.

The impact of the MIEC visits was perceived as positive by the physicians and the patients. The medico-economic impact warrants further evaluation.