Understanding decision-making and educational need in the management of pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe asthma: analysis of a US-based clinician survey

Abstract

Background: Asthma creates a substantial burden on the pediatric healthcare system, particularly by those with moderate-to-severe disease. As few studies have been published specific to clinician evaluation and management of this population, this analysis serves to begin to identify educational needs and potential clinical impact.Methods: We conducted a case-based survey of US general pediatric (n = 227), allergy (n = 158), and pediatric pulmonology (n = 70) clinicians to understand the current approach to management of pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.Results: Results show inconsistencies in guideline adherence, identification of disease severity and control, referral practices, and knowledge of phenotypes, which may impact clinical decision making. While most clinicians refer to guidelines when managing pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe asthma, there is no preferred set, and they find the guidelines to be moderately useful. General pediatricians are more likely than specialists to have difficulty distinguishing control and severity and may not be familiar with the concept of asthma phenotype. Most surveyed pediatricians indicated they refer patients to a specialist, but did not always do so in the cases. Clinicians have little consensus on the best approach to manage patients with uncontrolled symptoms after optimized therapy. Many clinicians may have uncertainty about how elevated eosinophils or FeNO could affect patient management. Further, there may be gaps in incorporating parents and pediatric patients into shared decision-making in their care.Conclusions: Understanding the needs of those managing patients with moderate-to-severe asthma is critical to developing effective continuing education activities to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:

• Education
• management/control
• pediatrics
• phenotypes
• treatment

Declaration of interest

RG, AM, KRC, and JG are employees and shareholders of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. LW is an employee of Sanofi and may hold stock and/or stock options in the company. All other authors have nothing to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.