Underutilization of Preventive Asthma Visits Among Urban Children With Persistent Asthma

Abstract

National guidelines recommend that children with persistent asthma have at least 2 preventive asthma visits (PAVs) per year. We sought to determine the percent of urban children with persistent asthma who had a PAV in the past year, and to identify differences in demographics, health-related variables, and management associated with PAVs. Using data from 530 children (3-10 years) participating in a school-based asthma trial, we found that only 25% of children had at least I PAV, with only 5% receiving ≥2 visits. Having a PAV was not associated with demographics or health-related variables. Importantly, having a PAV was associated with having a preventive medication, taking that medication daily, and having a medication adjustment. Although PAVs were associated with actions to improve asthma control and management, these visits were underutilized in this sample. This highlights the need for novel methods to ensure access and deliver care to this vulnerable pediatric population.

Strategies for Improving Inhalation Technique in Children: A Narrative Review

“… 14 Additionally, patients have a low return rate for preventive asthma visits, which necessitates that other clinical settings, such as the emergency department or urgent care, must be considered as settings for education and reinforcement of proper inhaler technique. 34 Further, a hospitalization represents a critical event and important opportunity for education. Thus, we review solutions for assessment and education of inhaler technique that are used in various clinical settings, including office-based visits, emergency departments, and inpatient settings.…”

Epidemiology and utilization of primary health care services in Qatar by asthmatic children 5–12 years old: secondary data analysis 2016–2017

“…A school-based asthma trial conducted by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA recommend that children with persistent asthma have at least 2 preventive asthma visits per year [23]. Analysis of Asthma encounters in PHCC showed around a quarter of cases achieved only one visit to the health center during the whole study period.…”