Recent publications indicate Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Mainland have an excess prevalence of asthma when compared to other ethnic groups. As a consequence, the quality of life of these individuals decrease, and expenditures due to asthma care, specially those related to emergency room and hospitalizations increase, and have a significant financial impact for those patients and the community. In order to properly manage the asthmatic patient, and to obtain a significant reduction in the financial burden produced by asthma, it is important to acquire more knowledge about those factors that are associated with these asthma exacerbations. The Asthma Research Program at the Ponce School of Medicine was established to study asthma in Puerto Rico, specially those factors associated with severe asthma.
The study will apply the acquire knowledge to improve intervention strategies and treatment outcomes for severe asthmatics in Puerto Rico. It will recruit and characterize a population of adult Puerto Rican asthmatics; and compare actual emergency room care to published National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Guidelines for emergency room asthma. There are also two areas of study, one is a survey of patients with moderate or severe asthma who visit an emergency room; and the second area is a chart review.
Learning Objectives: 1) Characterize a population of adult Puerto Rican asthmatic individuals. 2) Understand the prevalence of moderate and severe asthma. 3) Review the demographic characteristics of asthmatics patients. 4) Discuss the seasonal trends for utilizing emergency room services. 5) Identify barriers that asthmatics encounter that may affect their quality of life. 6) Identify the basic areas as potential targets for educational and intervention programs.
Keywords: Barriers to Care, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Ponce School of Medicine, Puerto Rico
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.