A review of the management of childhood asthma in Tasmania
2011
Objective: To review the current management of childhood asthma in Tasmania and highlight evidence‐practice gaps for
future interventions. Methods: A software application (MedeMine) that extracts data from the Fred Dispense pharmacy dispensing software
system was modified to identify children with asthma. Participating community pharmacies ran the software
application. Caregivers of identified children were mailed a survey to evaluate components of asthma
management. Dispensing and survey data were analysed. Results: Twenty‐three community pharmacies were recruited. A total of 948 children were identified by the software and
deemed eligible for inclusion. Surveys were received from 362 (38.2%) caregivers. In the past year, short‐acting
beta‐2 agonists were used by 56.1% of the cohort, preventers by 76.5% (inhaled corticosteroids 52.3%;
leukotriene receptor antagonists 31.3%; inhaled cromones 0.6%), long‐acting beta‐2 agonists (LABAs) by 25.7%
and oral corticosteroids by 21.5%. Approximately half of the children using inhaled corticosteroids were
concurrently using a LABA. Survey data indicated 52.7% had an Asthma Action Plan (AAP), and 49.6% used a
spacer regularly. Among children with potential indicators of inadequately controlled asthma (emergency
department visits, over‐use of reliever medication and oral corticosteroid use), up to 25% were not using a
preventer and up to 75% of their parents reported that their asthma was adequately controlled. Conclusions: These results indicate gaps in childhood asthma management, in particular, underutilisation of preventers in
high‐risk patient groups, high utilisation of LABAs, insufficient spacer and AAP usage and overestimation of
asthma control. These areas could be targeted in future interventions to improve childhood asthma
management.
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