Managed care and the treatment of asthma

Few diagnoses offer managed care more return for the investment than asthma. Physicians are beset by mandates to use more anti-inflammatory therapy, peak flow meters, spacer devices, and written step care plans. The managed care system offers the organization and resources to meet this challenge to support physicians on the front line. Economies of scale and computer data bases now make asthma care outcome measures available for evaluation and revision. The current review focuses on five areas for development of successful asthma intervention: (1) physician education, (2) the comanagement concept, (3) patient education, (4) cost-effectiveness, and (5) implementation.