Published in:
01-02-2016 | Original Article
The characteristics of diagnosis, patient care and education of asthma and COPD patients from the perspective of the actors in the Hungarian healthcare system
Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2016
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Aim
In our study, we wanted to assess the workload under which health professionals work with asthmatic and COPD patients, the average time spent on investigation, patient care, patient education and on checking their previously acquired knowledge. We also wanted to know who educates these patients to the proper use of inhalation devices and how often they check their usage.
Subject and methods
We have conducted personal interviews and online surveys among health professionals. We made distinguished time spent on “freshly” diagnosed patients, routine control examinations and previously diagnosed patients. Participants: asthma nurses from the pulmonary care network, hospital departments, specialized practices and pulmonary care units; pulmonologists; specialists from internal medicine departments and emergency health care centres and GPs (general practitioners).
Results
Our results show that in every group of healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of these patients, the number of daily meetings between healthcare professionals and patients is remarkably high (an average of 30 patients a day), and there is not enough time for patient education. Checking the proper usage of the device is often skipped and no appropriate educational materials are available.
Conclusions
Patients are not likely to have sufficient knowledge of their disease or the appropriate usage of their inhalation devices. Reorganization of the Hungarian COPD and asthmatic patient care system is needed as soon as possible to provide effective patient education and patient care.