Engaging the Stakeholders: Views of Healthcare Professionals John Meurer, MD, MBA Laurie Lachance, PhD, Xin Geng, MS, Linda Jo Doctor, MPH, Noreen Clark, PhD Marielena Lara, MD, MPH Elisa Nicholas, MD, MSPH Cindy Kelly, MD

Many healthcare professionals like me enjoy listening to and serving patients with asthma in traditional clinical settings. Why do we choose to participate in asthma coalitions? 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Purpose of This Presentation To describe the views and perceptions of healthcare professionals (“providers”) about coalition characteristics To increase the proportion of providers who participate in local or state asthma coalition activities 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

I’ve included photos to show healthcare professionals engaged in coalition activities. 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Methods Cross sectional survey of 128 provider members of 7 Allies Against Asthma coalitions Physicians Other healthcare professionals including educators Hospital personnel Other healthcare providers including nurses, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists Chi-square tests to compare views of providers and 166 other coalition members 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Characteristics of Responding Providers Mean age 43 years 79% female Coalition members for average 22 months The typical heathcare professional in AAA is a mid-career, Caucasian woman active in the coalition for 2 years. 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Common Activities of Providers in Asthma Coalitions Lead committees and projects Train physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists Teach families, childcare providers, and school personnel Inform public and environmental health officials Evaluate programs 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

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Relationships of Providers vs. Others in Asthma Coalitions 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Providers vs. Others Views of Their Major Functions in Asthma Coalitions 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Allies Against Asthma Asthma Community Health Fair: Res. Luis Lloréns Torres Dance Group, San Juan, Puerto Rico 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Providers vs. Others: Most Frequent Perceived Benefits of Asthma Coalitions 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

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Views of Coalition Benefits for Healthcare Professionals vs. Others 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Providers vs. Others Perceptions of Asthma Coalition Effectiveness A significantly higher proportion of healthcare professionals (98%) viewed the coalition was making progress compared with other coalition members (91%). * p < 0.05 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

This respiratory therapist benefits from teaching the entire family about asthma severity and management at coalition community events. 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Conclusions More than 80% of 128 healthcare professionals active in Allies Against Asthma coalitions Feel satisfied and loyal Plan and make resource decisions Collaborate in helping achieve shared goals View asthma coalitions as uniquely beneficial and essential Believe programs would not have occurred without coalition Perceive the coalition is making progress in improving asthma outcomes 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

Compared with 166 other coalition members, providers… Conclusions Compared with 166 other coalition members, providers… Less often learn about childhood asthma and increase skills through the coalition Less often network with other professionals More often view the coalition as making progress 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma

These children are very happy when their asthma is better controlled through coalition programs involving healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. Thank you! 11/19/03 Allies Against Asthma