None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
As general practice is the first point of contact within the Australian health system for patients with asthma, it is important that all available tools are used to provide the best care possible. Accurate and reproducible measurement of airflow obstruction, as measured by spirometry, is a vital part of the management of people with asthma. However the use of valid spirometry in general practice is low. This study aims to examine the potential benefits to patients of using spirometry in the management of asthma in both children and adults, when GPs and staff have been properly trained in the best way to do it and to interpret the results.
Interventions
Comprehensive training for GPs and practice nurses in the intervention practices, in the performance and interpretation of spirometry, and encouragement to integrate spirometry use into their asthma management. The intervention will comprise a minimum of 6 hrs formal training, provided in the first 2 months after randomisation. Intervention practices will then apply this knowledge and be supported for the remainder of the 12-month study timeframe.
Sponsors
The Discipline of General Practice, University of Adelaide
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
7 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
A diagnosis of asthma and on asthma medication.
Exclusion criteria
COPD, unable to read or understand English, other major illnesses, significant cognitive impairment.
Outcome results
None listed