Guidelines into practice: An international pilot study of "Asthma Crystal Byte"

Abstract

Introduction: Decision support software offers an opportunity to improve the care of patients with asthma by linking individual management decisions to guidelines. Method: A guidelines based software package linked to a large database and incorporating a morbidity predictive function was developed in the United Kingdom. Clinicians from several European countries volunteered to evaluate the package in their own clinical environment. Results: The package was run during consultations with patients in the UK, Portugal, Switzerland and Italy. Clinicians agreed on a need for local translations, local drug choices and guidelines to be developed. An emphasis on allergy, immunology and smoking cessation advice in asthma care in some countries highlighted a need to adapt country specific versions. Conclusions: This International pilot study demonstrated that clinicians can learn from each other and work together around a common theme of implementing guidelines using decision support software.