Asthma management within North Canterbury general practice.

During 1980/81 a primary medical care survey comprising 4629 patient visits to North Canterbury general practitioner surgeries was undertaken. Given the current concern about asthma management information concerning asthma consultations was extracted from the survey. The diagnostic procedures undertaken, therapeutic services provided and follow-up arrangements are outlined for 96 patients with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Pharmaceuticals prescribed to 116 patients with either a primary or secondary diagnosis of asthma are described. Of those patients requiring medication 52% received only one item. Beta 2-agonists were the most commonly used antiasthmatic and were prescribed to 78% of the 116 patients. Theophylline was prescribed to 41% of cases, beclomethasone to 28%, oral corticosteroids to 22%, sodium cromoglycate to 12% and an antibiotic to 10% of cases. These results reflect pharmaceuticals prescribed at one point in time of on-going care.