Written Asthma Actions Plans Versus No Written Instructions In Specialty Care

The overall goal of this randomized, controlled study is to compare a model written treatment plan with the usual care that is provided by a group of adult and pediatric pulmonologists and allergists in their practice settings. The written treatment plan is a form that allows a treatment regimen that is consistent with National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines to be conveyed to patients. Barriers to the use of written plans will be identified to better understand why some patients and physicians use written treatment plans more frequently and effectively than others. An additional goal is to assess how patients from different racial/ethnic backgrounds utilize treatments plans. Because asthma disproportionately affects African American and Latino patients, another goal of this study is to better understand if there are fundamental differences in the way patients from racial/ethnic minority groups self-manage asthma in comparison to their white counterparts. The study will also try to determine if differences exist in the way physicians care for minority patients. If there are differences, it is important to determine if the disparities can be overcome with the use of a written treatment plan form.