Effects of an asthma management program on the asthmatic member: patient-centered results of a 2-year study in a managed care organization.
OBJECTIVE
To report the results of a 2-year pilot program of asthma education based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute treatment guidelines.


METHODS
Asthmatic members (n = 6698) of a managed care organization received education about their condition directly or through their primary care physician. Medical and pharmacy administrative claims data were reviewed to measure acute asthma events and prescribed therapies in the first (the baseline) and second years of the study. The claims data were augmented by member surveys from a stratified random sample of 2734 asthmatic patients who were members (6 years of age or older) in the baseline year.


RESULTS
Compared with the first year, asthmatic members received fewer inpatient services and the proportion of asthmatic members prescribed oral inhaled corticosteroids increased 30% in the second year. Health-related quality of life, measured with validated general and disease-specific instruments; satisfaction with the quality of care; exposure to patient education; knowledge of the disease; and member's confidence in their ability to manage their disease showed statistically significant improvements during the follow-up year of the program for both adult and child asthmatic members.


CONCLUSIONS
For asthmatic members of this health plan, a comprehensive asthma health management program improved processes of care and outcomes.
Buchner
D A
DA
Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
Butt
L T
LT
De Stefano
A
A
Edgren
B
B
Suarez
A
A
Evans
R M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents