Physician communication regarding cost when prescribing asthma medication to children.
Children with asthma require multiple medications, and cost may be a barrier to care. The purpose of this study was to determine how often physicians ask about cost when prescribing new asthma medication and to identify factors influencing queries. We surveyed pediatricians and family physicians and asked whether they asked about cost when prescribing new asthma medication and if cost was a barrier to prescribing. One third of physicians (35%) reported that concern for cost to the family was a barrier to prescribing. Half reported not asking their patients about drug costs. Pediatricians were less likely to ask about cost (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.20-0.92) when compared with family physicians. For every 10% increase in the number of privately insured patients, a physician was less likely to ask about cost (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.74-0.94). Communication about medication costs should be included in childhood asthma management.
Patel
Minal R
MR
Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Coffman
Janet M
JM
Tseng
Chien-Wen
CW
Clark
Noreen M
NM
Cabana
Michael D
MD
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics*; D011306:Prescription Fees; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents