Table 3 Characteristics of included studies

McCowan et al.²⁸ (2001, UK)

Cluster RCT

46 clusters: 46 practice, 447 patients

All; Avg yrs Inv: 32.6 Ctl: 37.4

6 Months, No baseline data

All ages, on asthma register

Not specified

Eccles et al.²⁹ (2002, UK)

Cluster RCT with 2 × 2 incomplete block design

62 clusters: 62 primary care practices; 5139 patients

 > = 18 years

24 Months; 12 monthsbaseline, 12 months intervention

General practices in north east of England; 50% of doctors using EMIS or AAH Meditel system to view clinical data/issue prescriptions during consultations

Single-handed practices

Zeiger et al.³⁰ (2014, USA)

Randomised stratified block design

Managed care organisation; 1999 patients

12-56 years; Avg yrs Inv: 36.2 Ctl: 36.1

20 Months; 8 months intervention; 12 months follow-up

12– 56 years physician diagnosed asthma; (ICD code: 493) in previous 3 years, > = 7 SABAs dispensed, continuous health-plan membership and pharmacy benefit in the prior year, > = 1 ICS canister dispensed in prior 6 months

Excluded co-morbidities coded in the prior year; COPD, emphysema, CF, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, Churg Strauss syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, Sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, steroid-dependant asthma. Omalizumab in prior 3 months, required an interpreter

Tamblyn et al.³¹ (2015, Canada)

Cluster RCT

Primary care practices. 81 physician clusters; 4447 patients

 > 5 years (8.2% aged 5–18 years)

33 Months

 > 5 years, asthma diagnosis (ICD9 code: 493), insured through provincial drug plan

COPD diagnosis (ICD9: 491,492, 494,496)