Predictors of primary care follow-up after a pediatric emergency visit for asthma

J Asthma. 2005 Sep;42(7):571-6. doi: 10.1080/02770900500215947.

Abstract

Objective: Prior studies have reported low rates of follow-up with a primary care provider (PCP) after emergency department (ED) treatment for asthma. We sought to identify predictors associated with PCP follow-up.

Methods: As part of a randomized trial we surveyed parents of children aged 2-18 years being discharged after ED asthma treatment. Parents described their child's asthma history and perceived benefits and barriers to making a PCP follow-up visit. Bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine association with completion of a follow-up visit within 4 weeks of the ED visit.

Results: A total of 278 subjects (N = 278) were enrolled; 55% saw their PCP within 4 weeks of the ED visit. Baseline factors that were associated with an increased likelihood of follow-up included a recent hospitalization, more than one ED visit for asthma in the past year, the parent's assessment that the child has "very severe" asthma, and current daily use of a controller medication. Parental beliefs that taking daily asthma medications and finding out about the causes of asthma attacks were very important and were also associated with increased PCP follow-up. Parents were less likely to follow up if they reported a lack of convenient appointments or prolonged waits in the PCP office. A multivariable model including clinical factors, parental beliefs, and the study intervention predicted the likelihood of follow-up.

Conclusions: Parental beliefs about asthma severity, the benefits of controlling asthma, and organizational barriers to seeing a PCP were associated with follow-up after a pediatric ED visit for asthma.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Philadelphia
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Treatment Refusal / statistics & numerical data*