Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory condition affecting millions globally, demands regular reviews for effective symptom management. Drawing on recent discussions, I will explore the advantages and hurdles when digitising asthma reviews, presenting an all-encompassing framework designed to elevate patient care while minimising practice pressures.
In the UK, 12% of our population is living with asthma, yet we face challenges with many missing their annual reviews. This contributes to around 60,000 hospital admissions annually, underscoring the need for more effective management to prevent these avoidable situations and lessen the burden on healthcare services.
Undoubtedly there are challenges when it comes to delivering annual asthma reviews, including…
- Clinical capacity: The primary obstacle in delivering annual asthma reviews lies in the strain on clinical capacity. The overwhelming number of patients requiring reviews can lead to delays and compromise the quality of care. GP practices can struggle to keep up to date with patient data and often do not have spare time to complete the extra administration that comes with delivering these reviews.
- Patient behaviour: No two people with asthma are the same and consequently manage their asthma differently. Non-adherence to treatment plans and missed appointments contribute to poor asthma control. Understanding and addressing patient behaviour is crucial for effective asthma reviews.
- Quality of reviews: Traditional face-to-face reviews may lack consistency and standardisation. Ensuring a high-quality review for every patient is complex, and variations in practice can impact the overall effectiveness of asthma management.
A recent pilot at iPLATO shows the positive impact of digitisation. The digital Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire saw a 42% completion rate initially, with a 19% increase after reminders, highlighting the effectiveness of digital engagement. This approach not only improves patient involvement but also offers several benefits to healthcare providers.
Digitising asthma reviews has increased clinical capacity by 25%, allowing for more efficient patient management without added administrative burden. Financially, achieving the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) upper thresholds has brought tangible rewards to practices, alongside saving 90 hours in clinician time, which speaks to the efficiency gains. Crucially, the digital pathway prioritises patients with poorly controlled asthma, ensuring timely interventions for those at greatest risk.
Moving towards a scalable digital-first approach in asthma reviews addresses key challenges in clinical capacity, patient behaviour, and review quality. The goal is to enhance patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions by embracing innovative solutions in asthma care. Crucially, this model can, and should be applied across COPD, cardiovascular and diabetes care.
In summary, digitising asthma management is a step towards more accessible, personalised, and proactive healthcare. By adopting digital tools, we can overcome traditional barriers and provide a more effective approach to asthma care.
