Asthma IQ for Primary Care Physicians

This project was conducted from November 2010, through October 2013 and was funded by an unrestricted grant from Novartis. This study examined whether the use of the ASTHMA IQ primary care tool would improve asthma care and asthma outcomes using a randomized trial of the ASTHMA IQ system versus usual asthma care in the primary care setting.

Practices were randomized into two groups of two to four, or sufficient to achieve 20 physicians in each group with an average of 10 patients per physician. The Asthma IQ group 1 was trained to use the software and how the system can support both acute and planned patient visits in their office. We also supported practices in the design of planned care visits. The Asthma IQ group 2 was trained on the new asthma guidelines and how a structured approach to planned care can help deliver guideline concordant care. We also provided support for design of planned visits for this group. We surveyed office staff and clinicians in both groups on their current practice and approach to asthma care at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. Patient chart reviews were done by study personnel and complemented by automated surveys of patients regarding asthma control and urgent care visits at baseline and every three months, using the ACT tool and specific questionnaires. After 12 months, Asthma IQ group 2 were trained on the use of the Asthma IQ software.

Specific Aims and Objectives:

• To determine if the use of the Asthma IQ tool would improve asthma patient outcomes as assessed by quarterly assessments of ACT scores via automated patient survey (primary endpoint).
• To determine if the use of the Asthma IQ tool would improve asthma patient outcomes as assessed by the number of asthma exacerbations requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids for three or more days (secondary endpoint).

Timeline

This project was conducted between December 2010 and November 2013.