Health communications: provider assessment of asthma control

Objective: The patient-provider partnership is important for effective asthma care and improved asthma control. Our descriptive study describes demographic differences associated with patient-provider asthma communications using Healthy People 2020 indicators. Methods: Using 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, we examined provider assessments of asthma control at last healthcare visit for children and adults with current asthma; assessments included questions on frequency of asthma symptoms, use of quick-relief inhalers, and limitation of daily activities due to asthma. We calculated weighted prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Overall, 3,684 (weighted prevalence = 7.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.0-7.6) NHIS respondents reported current asthma. Among persons with current asthma, 58% reported a routine asthma care visit in the past year. Provider assessments of asthma symptoms, quick-relief inhaler use, and activity limitations were reported by 55.4%, 59.1% and 41.5% of respondents, respectively. Non-Hispanic blacks (PR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03-1.20), Puerto Ricans (PR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.08-1.40), and Other-Hispanics (PR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.05-1.32) were asked more often than non-Hispanic whites about ≥1 of the asthma control indicators. Providers more frequently assessed asthma symptoms (PR = 1.20; CI = 1.10-1.30), quick-relief inhaler use (PR = 1.10; CI = 1.02-1.19), and activity limitations (PR = 1.25; CI = 1.11-1.41) in children than adults. Conclusions: Healthcare providers often discuss asthma control indicators with patients. Children and some racial and ethnic minorities were more frequently assessed on key asthma control indicators compared to adults and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. These findings may reflect provider efforts to target asthma control communications to populations with higher risk of morbidity.