July 2002 • Volume 8 • Number 7 |
Chalk
up 2001 as another successful year for AAFP's Annual Clinical Focus program.
Results from pre- and post-intervention surveys gauging the effect of ACF
2001: Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Infections indicate that, once again,
Academy members believe they've benefited from the program.
"It would appear from these surveys that family physicians increased their comfort and confidence in managing patients with asthma, allergy and respiratory infections," said ACF Medical Director Stephen Spann, M.D., of Houston.
In April 2001, an initial survey was sent to 2,000 active members, asking them to rate themselves on numerous patient care skills related to the three topics and on their knowledge and application of relevant technical innovations in the clinical setting. Of the 2,000 members, 214 responded. In March 2002, those 214 members were again asked to rate themselves in these areas.
Improvements in knowledge, skills and performance were noted across the board. Members reported, for example, that they gained confidence in their ability to overcome barriers to managing patients with asthma. They also reported improvement in knowing when spirometric testing should be administered. Some respondents noted, in fact, that they now perform this service more frequently in clinical practice.
Surveyed members reported increased confidence in knowing when and how to apply various allergy testing modalities. Likewise, they said enhanced knowledge about environmental allergens allowed them to more effectively counsel patients about minimizing exposure.
Respondents noted increased knowledge of indications for the use of antibiotics for respiratory infections and greater comfort in educating patients about emerging antimicrobial resistance. In their comments, respondents singled out focusing more energy on their overall patient education efforts as a significant area of practice change.
The findings from assessment of 2001's ACF activities are heartening, Spann said, and those activities stand to benefit patients with asthma, allergic disease or respiratory ailments. "Hopefully," he said, "this initiative will result in improvements in the processes of care for patients with these conditions."
FP Report is published by the AAFP
News Department.
Copyright © 2002 by American Academy of Family Physicians.