Association of Asthma Exacerbation Risk and Physician Time Expenditure With Provision of Asthma Action Plans and Education for Pediatric Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To provide information about factors underlying provision of asthma action plans (AAPs) to a minority of pediatric patients with asthma, assess whether risk of exacerbation acts on provision of AAP and asthma education directly, suggesting targeting to highest-risk patients, or indirectly by influencing physician-patient interaction time. METHODS This study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of physician office visits that consisted of patients aged 2 to 18 years with asthma. Exacerbation risk comprised proxy indicators of control and severity. Direct and time-mediated effects of exacerbation risk on provision of AAP and education were calculated from logistic regression models. RESULTS Asthma action plans were provided in 14.3% of visits, education in 23.9%. Total direct effects of exacerbation risk (ORs = 3.88–4.69) far exceeded indirect, time-mediated effects (both ORs = 1.03) on AAPs. Direct effects on education were similar but smaller. After adjusting for risk, physician time expenditure of ≥30 minutes was associated with nearly doubled odds of providing AAP or education (ORs = 1.90–1.99). Visits that included allied health professionals alongside physician care were significantly associated with all 4 outcomes in multivariate analyses (ORs = 3.06–5.28). CONCLUSIONS Exacerbation risk has a strong, direct association with AAP provision in pediatric asthma, even controlling for physician time expenditure. Provision of AAP and education to pediatric patients with asthma may be facilitated by increasing available time for office visits and involving allied health professionals.