Asthma Assessment
The Asthma Awareness Program in Pharmacy. We partnered with the Woolcock Institute to conduct an asthma awareness program in pharmacies. The goal was to help understand the prevalence of undiagnosed severe asthma in the community.
Methodology
The Institute created a protocol based on the 5 ACQs (Asthma Control Questionnaire). It used pharmacy dispensing data to identify patients who had used asthma medication in the last 12 months. These patients received automated text messages asking them to complete the 5 ACQ questions.
Results
Responses were collected electronically. Patients identified as having potentially severe, uncontrolled asthma received an automated GP referral via text. Over 200 patients completed the questionnaire within one week, exceeding expectations.
Impact
The program provided valuable asthma prevalence data to the Woolcock Institute quickly and cost-effectively. It engaged patients in their health by prompting self-assessment and referral when needed. Pharmacies were paid $10 per completed referral, incentivising participation.
Conclusion
By leveraging existing pharmacy dispensing data and automated digital communications, this asthma awareness program successfully screened a large patient population and streamlined the referral process. It demonstrates the potential for pharmacist-led clinical interventions to improve health outcomes using digital tools.