Asthma Patients And Their Doctors

ASTHMA PATIENTS AND THEIR DOCTORS

(Which is the best air purifier for you? Video clip shows comparative study of different brands. Make an informed choice. Click here: Air Purifiers)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Instantly Download Great E Books On Asthma And Related Health Issues:

Enter your keyword in the search box below - i.e. allergy, asthma, cholesterol, heart attack, diet, hypertension, snoring, smoking, hypnosis, diabetes, exercise, headache, arthritis, gout, back pain, cancer, depression, panic, pregnancy, prostate, etc.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Asthma Patients and Their Doctors Don't Always Communicate Well

The results of a recent survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, found that asthma patients and their doctors often don't communicate effectively.

There is often misunderstanding between them which may lead to poorly controlled asthma and an unnecessary worsening of the patient's quality of life.

The main reason behind this communication breakdown is that doctors and patients look at asthma in completely different ways, said Mike Tringale, director of external affairs for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Doctors tend to look at the quantitative factors, those that can be measured, such as how often you or your child needs a rescue inhaler or what are peak flow readings.

People with asthma, on the other hand, (or their parents) ,tend to look more at qualitative factors, such as how well did you sleep or how did you feel in school today?

"It's not that anybody's saying the wrong thing, but nobody's talking about the whole story," Tringale said.

As an example of the way these factors could easily be misunderstood, Dr. Jonathan Field, director of the allergy and asthma clinic at the New York University Medical Center/Bellevue in New York City, recalled a marathon-runner patient, who complained that his asthma wasn't under control.

When Dr. Field ran the standard tests, the runner appeared to have well-functioning lungs, with 100 percent of the expected lung function.

Field, however, decided to listen to the patient.

He treated him based on his symptoms; as the patient felt there had been a worsening of his asthma.

After treatment, the runner's lung function tests were at 150 percent of what the average is, said Field.

Because he was a runner, however, his baseline lung function was much higher than normal -- a factor that could easily have been missed, depending on what questions the doctor asked and what information the patient offered.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation od America's survey included 354 physicians -- 254 primary-care doctors and 100 pediatricians -- and 585 people with asthma and 274 adult mothers of children under 18 with asthma.

The survey found that both asthma patients and their doctors agreed that they should work as partners to control the condition.

But, they seemed to agree on little else.

Based on the survey here are some areas where asthma patients and their doctors need to work to improve communication:

* Only 40 percent of doctors felt their patients were "very good" or "good" at controlling their asthma, while 77 percent of patients felt their asthma was under control.

* 90 percent of doctors, but only 39 percent of asthma patients, felt that asthmatics don't always take their medications properly and could do a better job of controlling their asthma.

* Only 11 percent of people with asthma felt their doctors had discussed the meaning of asthma control with them, yet 80 percent of doctors felt they had done so.

* The number one factor indicating poorly controlled asthma was the number of times a patient needed a fast-acting inhaler, according to 89 percent of the doctors.

For patients, the main indicator of poor control was quality-of-life issues.

Field said the survey "underscores a lot of important issues," particularly in the different ways -- qualitative and quantitative -- that people with asthma and their doctors view the disease.

"Patients may say they're fine. They're conditioned to think this is the way it is. They assume it's their lot in life," said Field.

"But, if you ask the right questions, he added, you might find out that a patient isn't fine. They may be feeling tired all day or have stopped going to the gym, but they've decided that's normal, even when it's not."

"All asthma is controllable, but not all asthma is controlled," said Tringale.

"Patients need a higher expectation of control. Often, asthma patients just learn to live with their symptoms. There should be no asthma attacks."

"More than 4,000 people still die from asthma each year, and they're not just severe asthmatics. The deaths are equally distributed between mild, moderate and severe asthmatics. Asthma should be in control. There's just not enough questioning going on."

To help asthma patients and their doctors bridge the communication gap, the AAFA, with funding from Merck & Co., have started a new education program which explains what good asthma control is and how to improve your health.

What's most important, emphasized Field, "is to be aware of any change from whatever your baseline is."

"If you see any deviation in the way you feel, don't just blow it off. Check with your doctor."

(Which is the best air purifier for you? Video clip shows comparative study of different brands. Make an informed choice. Click here: Air Purifiers)

Return to Home Page From Asthma Patients and Their Doctors

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Instantly Download Great E Books On Asthma And Related Health Issues:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *