title: Patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Differences in patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care can create barriers to successful treatment. The primary goal of this qualitative study was to further explore patient and provider perceptions of asthma and asthma care as part of a larger Asthma Comparative Effectiveness Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups held every 6 months for 3 years were designed to have a mix of both patients and providers allowing for unique understanding around asthma care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The discussion centered on goal setting, asthma action plans and prevention strategies for asthma exacerbations. Three overarching themes, with a variety of subthemes, emerged as the main findings of this study. The three main themes were Cost/Economic Barriers/Process, Self-Governance/Adherence and Education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These themes indicated a strong need for patient educational interventions around asthma as well as education for providers around cost, insurance coverage and patient-centered communication. Specifically, education on learning to use inhalers properly, avoiding triggers and understanding the importance of a controller medication will benefit patients in the long-term management of asthma.
authors.affiliation: a Dickson Advanced Analytics, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: J Lauren
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mowrer
authors.affiliation: b Family Medicine Research, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tapp
authors.affiliation: a Dickson Advanced Analytics, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ludden
authors.affiliation: b Family Medicine Research, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.affiliation: a Dickson Advanced Analytics, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Yhenneko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pediatrics , Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA , and.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Courtlandt
authors.affiliation: a Dickson Advanced Analytics, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Tami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alkhazraji
authors.affiliation: b Family Medicine Research, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.affiliation: d Ponce School of Medicine , Ponce , Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steuerwald
authors.affiliation: b Family Medicine Research, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: McWilliams
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.affiliation: a Dickson Advanced Analytics, Carolinas HealthCare System , Charlotte , NC , USA .
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dulin
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017144:Focus Groups; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Education; focus groups; goals; shared decision making; triggers