[Healthcare resources for asthma management at primary care level: Asthmabarometer Project]

The objective of this study was to describe the current provision of basic resources for asthma management in Primary Health Care (PHC).

Cross-sectional study, with an ad hoc quantitative survey.

A total of 380 primary healthcare physicians in Spain.

Analysis of perceptions of management and use of basic human, organisational and material resources to ensure appropriate care provision to asthma patients.

Survey respondents stated that their centre did not have a consultant doctor (64%) or nurse (62%) in respiratory disease. Almost all (92%) of the centres have spirometers, of which 70% have peak flow meters, and 93% have placebo inhalers. In the last year, respondents have received specific theoretical/practical training from the centre (46%), and by third parties (83%). More than three-quarters (78%) of the centres has educational material available for patients. There is no specific healthcare protocol in 36% of the centres, and 43% had no referral protocol. A clinical interview is conducted to monitor the patient (90%), but there are no validated questionnaires to measure therapeutic adherence (85%), or a checklist to check inhalation technique (83%). Differences are observed in the relevant variables in the analysis of each Spanish Autonomous Community.

Access to certain resources in the care of patients with asthma is limited in aspects of coordination between levels, varied according to Spanish Autonomous Community, and improved in most health resources in Asthma.