Use of focus groups to assess the educational needs of the primary care physician for the management of asthma

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Abstract
To determine the educational needs of primary care physicians, in the management of patients with asthma. Focus group discussions with physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and patients. Metropolitan Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Out of an original mail request to 100 potential recruits, 52 people attended the focus group sessions. These included physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, adult patients and paediatric patients accompanied by their parents. Consensus of the specific group being interviewed using facilitator-mediated responses, to identify problems in the care of asthma patients and appropriate educational methods to improve the situation. Both diagnostic and treatment concerns were identified by the primary care physicians and others in the study. Confusion with infection was the most common diagnostic problem. Major treatment problems involved confusion about aspects of management strategy and a lack of communication between physicians, patients and other members of the health care team. Poor patient compliance and patients changing doctors frequently were also of major concern. There were inconsistencies in the treatment of asthma between physicians. While most physicians felt that they were up-to-date in management, Asthma Control Guidelines were seldom followed. There is an urgent need for continuing medical education, not only in management but also in communication with patients and with other members of the health care team. The data permit the development of an ongoing educational programme which is practical and designed to deal with the issues identified in this survey.

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