Chapter 2: Ethical, Legal, and Economic Foundations of the Educational Process

After reading the following research study abstract, answer the questions following:

The aim of this work was to investigate how managed care organizations (MCOs) currently approach asthma treatment and management and to determine factors affecting asthma outcomes. A Web-based survey was administered to a national sample of 351 medical directors of MCOs to investigate the asthma management program components in their organizations as well as gaps and barriers in the management of patients with asthma. All 134 (38.2%) responding medical directors reported that their organizations monitor asthma patients. Plans use a variety of asthma management activities, including general member education (90%), member education by mail (87%), self-management education (85%), and provider education (82%). Educational resources (89%) and telephone advice nurse (77%) were the most common self-management strategies offered. Among factors impeding the provision of effective asthma care, virtually all respondents cited noncompliance with asthma treatment, the inappropriate use of medications, and the need for multiple medications. Health plans ely on an array of strategies to manage asthma patients. Education encouraging patient self-management is a key component of asthma management programs. However, a considerable number of treatment approach barriers are impeding the achievement of proper asthma care. Without innovative approaches to care, it appears that current MCOs' asthma management efforts may not result in substantial improvements in asthma outcomes What factors do you think prevent individual health care providers from engaging in health promotion activities even when these activities are supported by the managed care system in which they practice?

Do you think the study results would have been different if the primary care providers had answered the survey questions instead of the medical directors? If the patients had answered the survey questions?