Development and feasibility of provider implementation tools for anti-inflammatory reliever therapy in community asthma practices.

INTRODUCTION

Anti-Inflammatory Reliever (AIR) therapy-the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/formoterol or ICS with short-acting beta-agonists as reliever therapy is guideline-recommended for mild asthma. However, its uptake remains low in community settings. To improve AIR adoption, we developed an AIR Asthma Plan (AIR-AP) and implementation strategies to support its adoption, which we then pilot-tested to assess feasibility and acceptability.

METHODS

Using an exploratory sequential design, we collaborated with stakeholders and pilot site providers to: (1) assess provider needs, (2) co-develop multicomponent provider support tools, (3) tailor workflows, and (4) conduct a 3-5-month pilot test of the tools and implementation strategies in three diverse community practices (pediatrics, family medicine, and allergy). We evaluated usability, acceptability, and feasibility of our implementation strategy using validated questionnaires and provider interviews. Asthma patients were asked to evaluate the usability of the AIR-AP and instructional videos.

RESULTS

We co-developed multi-component provider support tools for adoption of AIR, including: (1) AIR-AP (patient-level), (2) instructional videos (patient-level), (3) patient selection tool (provider-level),(4) AIR implementation guide (provider-level), and (5) practice training materials (slide deck). Seven providers from three pilot sites participated. AIR provider support tools were generally feasible and acceptable; however, ongoing barriers to AIR adoption persisted, including limited visit time, unfamiliarity and communication challenges, patients' health literacy and hesitancy to change, and inadequate institutional dissemination.

CONCLUSION

Based on pilot testing, co-developed tools for AIR adoption were feasible and acceptable in community settings. Future efforts should focus on evaluating the effectiveness and other implementation outcomes of these tools.