For Physicians How you can bridge the Asthma GAP
Your definition of ‘regular use’ may differ from your patients’
If you ask your patients if they take their asthma controller medication regularly, or as instructed by you, their answers may be influeneced by different ideas of “regular.” Recent survey data shows patients’ perceptions of asthma and their actions to manage it are often disconnected, especially when it comes to regular use of medication.
Although you fully explain the proper use of asthma controller medications, patients may not always understand what “regular use” means.
84% of patients say they take their controllers on a regular basis, but:
- Just over half (53%) actually take their medication at least twice a day every day
- 10% of patients take medication only once a week or less
- 7% of these patients take medication only as needed for symptoms.
When patients stop taking their medication, 65% report that they stop for over a month!
It’s not too late to help your patients develop better treatment habits
Help your patients understand that regular use of an asthma controller medication is not a suggestion for managing symptoms but an essential part of a treatment plan.
