Barriers to delivering asthma care: a qualitative study of general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain what general practitioners' priorities are for achieving optimal outcomes in people with asthma, and the barriers they face in delivering this care.


METHODS
A qualitative study using the Nominal Group Technique (a highly structured meeting to gain information from experts about a particular issue) was conducted between August 2002 and September 2003. GPs in six discussion groups were asked "What do you think is needed to achieve best outcomes for asthma care?" To augment analysis of the discussion, sessions were taped and transcribed.


METHODS
Forty-nine GPs were recruited: 34 from metropolitan and 15 from rural areas.


RESULTS
All groups nominated asthma education for patients and continuing professional education for GPs as major priorities, but they also described educational and structural barriers to achieving these priorities. Other priorities were: medication adherence, facilitating regular patient review, negotiated treatment/management plans, making the correct diagnosis, increased remuneration and consultation time, and safer asthma medications and access to these. Health promotion initiatives and increased public awareness were also priorities. Spirometry was a significant cause of uncertainty. Overall, written asthma action plans were not considered a high priority.


CONCLUSIONS
Remarkable consistency was found between GPs' priorities for delivering best asthma care. Our study identified barriers to asthma guideline adherence, including accessible, relevant education for GPs, and structural, time and cost barriers GPs must overcome in providing asthma treatment and patient education.
Goeman
Dianne P
DP
Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. d.goeman@alfred.org.au
Hogan
Chris D
CD
Aroni
Rosalie A
RA
Abramson
Michael J
MJ
Sawyer
Susan M
SM
Stewart
Kay
K
Sanci
Lena A
LA
Douglass
Jo A
JA
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research