ABS12: Patient views of the patient asthma APGAR

Abstract

Background:

Collecting health information directly from patients prior to a physician visit can save physician time and may provide patients additional ability to guide asthma visits.

Objective:

To assess patients (and parents) opinions regarding the use of the Patient ASTHMA APGAR during asthma related physician visits.

Sample:

Patients and parents of patients (n= 83) from seven rural family medicine practices who participated in the pilot study of the Patient ASTHMA APGAR.

Methods:

On-site focus groups in the seven sites with immersion-crystallization analysis. Sites were spread from Pennsylvania to Washington state with 4 sites within Minnesota.

Results:

The 83 participants included 12 children and adolescents, 10 parents of children or adolescents with asthma and 61 adults with asthma. The age ranged from 6 years to 78 years and 17 of the attendees were men or boys. The group reported no dislikes or problems with the form, found it to be easily readable and could be completed in five to seven minutes. The groups' impression of the value of the ASTHMA APGAR fell into six major domains: improved focus of asthma visits, identification of triggers, better communication with physicians, specific needs-focused education provided, better asthma care and ability to assess control asthma at home. Specific quotations will be provided to illustrate each domain. Every attendee desired to have their physician's office continue using the form.

Conclusion:

These volunteer focus group members found the completion of a simple asthma assessment form to be useful in the conduct and outcomes of visits for routine asthma care as well as visits for asthma attacks.

Conflict of interest and funding

No conflicts of interest and funding was provided by the Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality.