Abstract
Even though efficacious treatments are available and moreover, a Consensus on asthma was published in 1999 by the Canadian Thoracic Society, there is still a care gap between asthma care and these guidelines.
TEAM is a disease management program based on continuous improvement of quality of asthma care. The general objective is to develop and implement an intervention program based on clinical results and well defined needs of physicians and asthmatic patients.
The first phase consisted of establishing a cartography of asthma for the province of Quebec. Results showed variations in morbidity and mortality from one region to another. Six regions were selected for the second phase: two high risk regions, three moderate risk regions and a low risk region.
The second phase consisted of recruiting physicians, mainly general practitioners, for a cohort study. A total of 60 physicians have participated and recruited 228 patients. Participating physicians had to schedule three visits with their patient during a one year period. Both the physician and the patient filled out a questionnaire. Eventually physicians will receive a confidential report giving them feedback on their personal medical practice and general practice in their area. They will therefore be able to determine the gap between their own practice and the recommendations from the Canadian Consensus on Asthma. Preliminary analysis reveals interesting data that will be presented on site.
The program is now in its third phase that is the interventions. First, research interventions are implemented in high and moderate risk areas and are targeting hospital emergency, access to spirometry and a tool to facilitate the application of the Canadian Consensus Guidelines during a medical consultation. In parallel continuing medical education activities will be offered to participating physicians from the cohort study.
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Turgeon, M., Boulet, L., Thivierge, R. et al. TEAM - Towards Execellence in Asthma Management: An innovative disease management programme in the province of Quebec (Canada). Prim Care Respir J 11, 74 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.73
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.73