Community Health Centers Primary Care Physicians' Asthma Management Perception of Uninsured Patients

Purpose of Study: Explore the perceptions of primary care physicians (PCPs) from community health care centers (CHCs) in Franklin County, Ohio, regarding factors that contribute to their inability to consistently provide sustainable asthma management services to their uninsured patient population. Primary Practice Setting: Asthmatic patients are not consistently receiving sustainable asthma management in CHCs in Ohio. Primary care physicians in CHCs play a pivotal role in closing health care gaps for asthmatic patients. To minimize the barriers that impede the efforts of PCPs to control asthma for their uninsured patients, asthma disease management programs that include case management services in CHCs in Franklin County, Ohio, are needed. Methodology and Sample: A convenience sample of 4 PCPs from 2 CHCs in Franklin County, Ohio, was interviewed face-to-face. Interviews, direct observation, and previously published research were the sources of data utilized for this study. Results: Results indicated that 75% of participants did not use standard guidelines while treating their patients. Physician time constraints and access to affordable medication were identified as some of the barriers to providing sustainable asthma management services. Implications for Case Management: Asthma is a complex chronic disease. Disease case managers not only are capable of coordinating health care services for a variety of patient populations but are also effective in managing complex diseases such as asthma for disadvantaged populations. Evidence-based case management models are needed to support PCPs in CHCs. Without the inclusion of asthma-specific case managers as part of the care delivery structure, CHCs may continue to provide subpar disease management services for uninsured asthmatic patients.