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The national asthma audit. Bridging the gap between guidelines and practice
1Quality Assurance and Continuing Education Program, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Forest Lodge, NSW.
Australian Family Physician
|November 3, 1998
Summary
This pilot study shows a need for better asthma care in general practice. A peer-led audit-workshop model is feasible and motivates general practitioners (GPs) to improve patient asthma management.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Respiratory Medicine
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Asthma management in primary care requires continuous improvement.
- General Practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in managing asthma.
- Existing asthma care models may not fully meet patient needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the necessity and acceptance of a theory-based audit model for enhancing GP asthma care.
- To assess the feasibility of a peer-led audit-workshop approach in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen GPs participated in an 8-week chart audit and patient survey for asthma patients.
- Audit findings were discussed in a workshop for peer review against asthma guidelines.
- GPs developed practice-specific strategies for asthma care improvement.
Main Results:
- Out of 243 audited patients, 72.8% had a recent asthma review, 56.8% received preventive therapy, and 48.2% had an asthma action plan.
- Despite time investment, 16 respondents found the audit useful.
- 93.8% of participants reported motivation to change their practice.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a need for enhanced asthma care within general practice.
- The GP-peer led, regionally coordinated audit-workshop model is feasible and effective.
- This model shows potential for improving asthma management in primary care.