Patient education provided to asthmatic children: A historical cohort study of the implementation of NIH recommendations

NIH guidelines for treatment of childhood asthma emphasize educating both p atients and family about avoiding triggers and providing information to sup port self-management of asthma. To determine the extent to which primary ca re providers had implemented these recommendations, we examined the patient education provided to a cohort of asthmatic children (n = 331) between Jan uary and December 1994. During 1994 education of any type was documented for less than half the chi ldren. Provision of education was associated with asthma severity: An actio n plan for exacerbations was discussed with the majority, with moderate or severe asthma (61%). Avoiding triggers (aOR. 2.38, 95% CI: 1.37-4.12) and t reatment goals (aOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.46-6.75), were more likely to be discu ssed with children who were prescribed inhaled anti-inflammatory medication , after adjustment for asthma severity and age. Limited implementation of the NIH recommendations by primary care providers in our study may have reduced their impact on the management of childhood asthma.