Asthma and COPD in primary health care, quality according to national guidelines: a cross-sectional and a retrospective study
2008

Quality of Asthma and COPD Care in Primary Health Care

Sample size: 1000 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Siw Carlfjord, Malou Lindberg

Primary Institution: Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences

Hypothesis

The study aims to survey structure and process indicators in primary health care for asthma and COPD management according to national guidelines.

Conclusion

At least one hour per week per 1000 patients should be reserved for Asthma and COPD Nurse Practice to ensure high process quality in primary care.

Supporting Evidence

  • All centres showed high quality regarding structure.
  • More time reserved for ACNP resulted in better process quality outcomes.
  • Documentation of smoking habits was more frequent in ACNP records than in GP records.

Takeaway

Doctors need to spend enough time with asthma and COPD patients to make sure they get the best care possible.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire and a retrospective review of medical records from 42 primary health care centres.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to self-reporting by nurses and variability in record examination.

Limitations

Different individuals examined medical records, and nurses reported their findings, which may introduce bias.

Participant Demographics

Patients suffering from asthma or COPD in Östergötland, Sweden.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2296-9-36

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