ORIGINAL ARTICLE Unsatisfactory Asthma Control: Astonishing Evidence from General Practitioners and Respiratory Medicine Specialists

Background: The aim of asthma therapy is to achieve and maintain disease control. Clinicians ’ behavior is crucial in terms of prescribing the best possible treatment, carrying out appropriate follow-up, and ensuring adherence to treatment. Although clinical trials have demonstrated that asthma control is an achievable goal, real-life data show that this objective is still far from being reached. Objective: To investigate physician-related factors that can infl uence successful asthma management. Methods: In 2008, 811 general practitioners (GPs) and 230 respiratory medicine specialists attending a continuous medical education program completed a questionnaire prior to beginning the course on aspects related to asthma pathogenesis and control, applicability of research and guidelines in daily practice, and doctor-patient relations. Results: The level of knowledge among GPs and specialists regarding the use of control tools was not optimal, with the Asthma Control Test used by 20.15 % of GPs and 42.92 % of specialists. The respondents were also largely unable to correctly identify level of asthma control, with approximately just 20 % providing correct answers. Although chronic infl ammation was considered the main feature of asthma by more than 90% of the 2 groups, they inexplicably believed that up to 40 % of patients might not require long-term treatment. Both GPs and specialists preferred a continuous fi xed-dose regimen (57.69 % and 54.21%, respectively) and did not tend to favor self-management plans, believing that these were only feasible in a very small percentage of patients