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Asthma care during COVID-19: differences in attitudes and expectations between physicians and patients
Nonie Arora1, Desmond Lowe2, Nadeen Sarsour2
1Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Insights
Patients with asthma and physicians showed significant differences in COVID-19 expectations and concerns. These disparities highlight the need for improved patient-centered care during health crises.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma.
- Understanding the perspectives of both patients with asthma and their healthcare providers is crucial for effective management and care.
- Discrepancies in attitudes and expectations can impede collaborative decision-making and patient adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the attitudes, behaviors, and expectations concerning COVID-19 between patients with asthma and their physicians.
- To identify specific concerns and challenges faced by each group during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous online surveys were administered to adult patients with asthma and physicians.
- Surveys collected demographic data, COVID-19 related concerns, and attitudes/behaviors during April-May 2020.
- Data from 1171 patients and 225 physicians were analyzed for comparative insights.
Main Results:
- Patients with asthma perceived a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and reported greater anxiety compared to physicians.
- A significant majority of patients (62.7%) believed individuals with asthma should not work, contrasting with physicians' views (11.9%).
- Confidence in distinguishing COVID-19 symptoms from asthma exacerbations was low among both groups; severe asthma patients faced greater pandemic-related hardships.
Conclusions:
- Marked differences exist in the attitudes and opinions of patients with asthma and their physicians regarding COVID-19 care.
- These discrepancies underscore the importance of addressing differing perspectives to ensure patient-centered care.
- Future strategies should aim to bridge these gaps in understanding for better health outcomes.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore differences in attitudes, behaviors and expectations related to COVID-19 between physicians and patients with asthma.
Methods:
An anonymous survey was distributed through email and social media to adult patients with asthma during a three-week period in April-May 2020. A separate survey was sent to physicians. The surveys asked about demographic information, specific challenges and concerns due to COVID-19, and attitudes/behaviors during this time.
Results:
A total of 1171 patients and 225 physicians completed the surveys. Overall, patients with asthma and physicians had large differences in expectations related to COVID-19. Patients were more likely than physicians to believe that individuals with asthma are at a higher risk to get COVID-19 (37.5% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.001), have increased anxiety due to COVID-19 (79.6% vs 70.0%, p = 0.002), and should not go to work (62.7% vs 11.9%, p < 0.001). Neither patients nor physicians felt confident they could distinguish COVID-19 symptoms from asthma (61.2% and 74.5% did not feel confident, respectively). Patients with severe asthma were significantly more impacted by the pandemic (e.g., became unemployed [OR 2.15], had difficulty getting asthma medications [OR 2.37]) compared to those with nonsevere asthma.
Conclusion:
Patients with asthma and their physicians have markedly different attitudes and opinions regarding care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such differences have important implications when providing patient-centered care.
Abstract:
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at publisher's website.
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