Health communications: provider assessment of asthma control.

The patient-provider partnership is important for effective asthma care and improved asthma control. Our descriptive study describes demographic differences associated with patient-provider asthma communications using indicators. Using 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, we examined provider assessments of asthma control at last healthcare visit for children and adults with current asthma; assessments included questions on frequency of asthma symptoms, use of quick-relief inhalers, and limitation of daily activities due to asthma. We calculated weighted prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 3,684 (weighted prevalence = 7.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.0-7.6) NHIS respondents reported current asthma. Among persons with current asthma, 58% reported a routine asthma care visit in the past year. Provider assessments of asthma symptoms, quick-relief inhaler use, and activity limitations were reported by 55.4%, 59.1% and 41.5% of respondents, respectively. Non-Hispanic blacks (PR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03-1.20), Puerto Ricans (PR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.08-1.40), and Other-Hispanics (PR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.05-1.32) were asked more often than non-Hispanic whites about ≥1 of the asthma control indicators. Providers more frequently assessed asthma symptoms (PR = 1.20; CI = 1.10-1.30), quick-relief inhaler use (PR = 1.10; CI = 1.02-1.19), and activity limitations (PR = 1.25; CI = 1.11-1.41) in children than adults. Healthcare providers often discuss asthma control indicators with patients. Children and some racial and ethnic minorities were more frequently assessed on key asthma control indicators compared to adults and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. These findings may reflect provider efforts to target asthma control communications to populations with higher risk of morbidity.