title: Discussions between medical providers and children/caregivers about the benefits of asthma-control medications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the content of discussions between general pediatric providers and children and their caregivers about the benefits of asthma-control medication; describe the extent to which these discussions occur; and examine factors that are associated with medication benefit discussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional secondary analysis of audiotaped medical visits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five primary care pediatric clinics in North Carolina.
  
  
  METHODS
  35 pediatric providers and 248 children with persistent asthma and their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of discussion about benefits associated with asthma-control medications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providers discussed benefits associated with asthma-control medications during 56% of medical visits. Benefits were more likely to be discussed when the child was younger and when medication adherence was discussed during the visit. When providers discussed benefits of asthma-control medications, they were most likely to ask questions and make statements regarding symptom control/prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General pediatric medical providers often do not discuss the benefits of asthma-control medications. Pharmacists could fill this information gap by counseling both children and their caregivers about benefits that a child with asthma can expect as a result of treatment.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gillette
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Blalock
authors.forename: Jaya K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Ceila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loughlin
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sleath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods