Abstract
Objective - To assess whether a short training course based on international asthma guidelines could help bring the knowledge and behaviour of Russian primary-care doctors in line with modern practice for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of asthma in children. Method - A training course was provided in Electrostal, a small industrial town in Russia. Of the 32 doctors working in the town's two public children's outpatient clinics, 28 took part in the study. Eighteen doctors from clinic I (the education group) attended the training course, and 10 doctors from clinic 2 (control group) did not. To evaluate the effect of the training, the doctors took a test of multiple-choice questions before and at 6 months after the course. The questions assessed the doctors' knowledge about asthma and their confidence managing the condition. Results - At 6-month follow-up, the doctors who attended the course showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in their overall knowledge of asthma and asthma treatment, and increased confidence in their ability to control asthma symptoms and treat acute asthma episodes. They were more likely to prescribe anti-inflammatory medication for children with asthma. Conclusion - Implementing recommendations on asthma management developed in the US was shown to be acceptable and effective in Russia, and improved the knowledge and confidence of primary-care doctors in the management of childhood asthma.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 134-138 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Asthma Journal |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine