The GAPP survey involving more than 5000 physicians, adult patients with asthma, and parents of children with asthma from 16 nations worldwide identified a discrepancy between physician and patient perceptions about communication and education relating to asthma (Table 1). The lack of physician–patient communication was found to be a critical factor impeding proper medication use and effective asthma management.
| What patients said: | What physicians said: |
|---|---|
| Incidence of patients reporting compliance with treatment:
|
Patient’s compliance as reported by physicians:
|
| Patients frequently cited their side effects as a reason for non-compliance:
|
|
| 60% of patients believed that they initiated discussions about side effects with their physician |
76% of physicians state that they initiate the side-effect conversation |
| Approximately one-half of patients report never discussing short- or long-term side effects with their physicians |
92% of physicians said that they sometimes or always discuss short-term side effects, and 66% said that they sometimes or always discuss long-term side effects |
| 69% of patients said that they received inhaler instructions from their doctor |
95% of physicians said they regularly instruct patients on how to use their inhaler correctly |
| Over half (54%) of patients did not know or believe that mild asthma could be fatal |
Both patients and physicians agreed that better physician–patient communications and improved patient education are needed. It was also noted that available therapies are less than ideal and that better medications are needed.1 In fact, 81% of physicians believe improvement with ICS therapy is needed, and said they would prescribe a new medication if the side-effect profile were improved.1 Such a medication should incorporate all of the following characteristics:
References:
1. Global asthma physician and patient (GAPP) survey www.gappsurvey.org. 2006.