Abstract
Aims
To focus asthma care on those patients most in need whilst providing annual audit data.
Methods
An observational questionnaire study. Patients on the asthma register received a postal invitation to the asthma clinic plus a questionnaire which enquired about both symptoms and the process of care. Medical records were searched for data on non-responders.
Results
Of the 1241 people sent the invitation and questionnaire 682 (57%) returned it and 99 attended the clinic. Follow-up of responders with high morbidity resulted in a further 32 people attending. The 99 attenders had a higher morbidity than non-attenders on the criteria of a course of oral steroids in the last six months(15% v 29%)and a mean symptom score of 3 or more ( 12% v 31%).
Conclusions
Whilst the process did focus care on those in need, and resulted in a manageable number of people attending the asthma clinic, many individuals with high morbidity or risk factors did not attend.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paterson, C., Paisley, A. Focusing on those in need: a symptom based outcome questionnaire for postal inwitation and audit in a primary care asthma clinic. Prim Care Respir J 11, 34–37 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.14
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.14