An interactive workshop plus locally adapted guidelines can improve General Practitioners asthma management and knowledge: A cluster randomised trial in the Australian setting

2008

Improving Asthma Management for General Practitioners

Sample size: 63 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Liaw Siaw-Teng, Sulaiman Nabil D, Barton Christopher A, Chondros Patty, Harris Claire A, Sawyer Susan, Dharmage Shyamali C

Primary Institution: The University of Melbourne

Hypothesis

Can interactive workshops and locally adapted guidelines improve General Practitioners' asthma management and knowledge?

Conclusion

The study found that while the intervention improved GPs' knowledge and confidence in managing asthma, it did not significantly change their self-reported use of written asthma action plans.

Supporting Evidence

GPs in the intervention group reported increased confidence in managing asthma.
Post-intervention, GPs were better able to assess asthma severity.
Most GPs in the intervention group felt more confident managing asthma than those in control groups.

Takeaway

This study showed that teaching doctors in small groups can help them feel more confident about treating asthma, but it didn't make them give out more written plans for patients.

Methodology

A cluster randomised trial with three groups: one receiving workshops and guidelines, one receiving only guidelines, and one receiving an unrelated education intervention.