Frequency of asthma education in primary care in the years 2007-2010

Recent research suggests that health disparities persist among asthmatic patients and receipt of asthma education, though recent guidelines have highlighted the importance of receiving asthma education. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in the receipt of asthma education as well as to identify disparities in asthma education using the most recently available data in National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2007-2010.

Weighted chi-square tests were conducted to identify associations between asthma education and variables of interest. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was subsequently constructed to jointly assess the association of factors of interest on receipt of asthma education. Submission to the Campbell University Institutional Review Board resulted in expedited approval.

The percentage of patients who receive asthma education remains quite low. After adjusting for all variables of interest: no statistically significant difference in receipt of asthma education between year groups (2007-2008, 2009-2010) was found (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-1.34); patients seen by pediatricians (vs. internal medicine physicians) and Hispanic or Latino patients (vs. non-Hispanic or Latino patients) were more likely to receive asthma education (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11-6.66 and OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.18-4.60, respectively); and patients not prescribed a controller medication were less likely to receive asthma education than those who were (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.82).

Combined with previously published results, it appears the provision of asthma education continues to be low, despite proven benefits. Additionally, some patient and physician characteristics may be associated with the delivery of asthma education.