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M. M. Kuilboer, M. A. M. van Wijk, M. Mosseveld, E. van der Does, J. C. de Jongste, S. E. Overbeek, B. Ponsioen, J. van der Lei
Computed Critiquing Integrated into Daily Clinical Practice Affects Physicians Behavior A Randomized Clinical Trial with AsthmaCritic
Keywords: Clinical decision support systems, Computerized Medical Record, Medical Informatics, practice guidelines, feedback, asthma, COPD
OBJECTIVE: We developed AsthmaCritic, a non-inquisitive critiquing system integrated with the general practitioners electronic medical records. The system is based on the guidelines for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as issued by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. This paper assesses the effect of AsthmaCritic on monitoring and treatment of asthma and COPD by Dutch general practitioners in daily practice. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial in 32 practices (40 Dutch general practitioners) using electronic patient records. An intervention group was given the use of AsthmaCritic, a control group continued working in the usual manner. Both groups had the disposal of the asthma and COPD guidelines routinely distributed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. We measured the average number of contacts, FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume), and peak-flow measurements per asthma/COPD patient per practice; and, the average number of antihistamine, cromoglycate, deptropine, and oral bronchodilator prescriptions per asthma/COPD patient per practice. RESULTS: The number of contacts increased in the age group of 1239 years. The number of FEV1 , peak-flow measurements, and the ratio of coded measurements increased, whereas the number of cromoglycate prescriptions decreased in the age group of 1239 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the guideline-based critiquing system AsthmaCritic changed the manner in which the physicians monitored their patients and, to a lesser extent, their treatment behavior. In addition, the physicians changed their data-recording habits.
Methods of Information in Medicine, Schattauer
Print ISSN: 0026-1270
Volume: 45, 01/2006
Pages: 447 - 454