Specialist approach to childhood asthma: does it exist?

Twenty six paediatricians and 21 consultant physicians concerned in the care of children with asthma answered a postal questionnaire on various aspects of the management of asthma, attitudes to referral, and the nature of advice given to parents and children. The 47 specialists had considerable differences in opinion for more than half the questions, including the role of allergen skin tests and the use of "breathing exercises." In addition, the paediatricians disagreed with the responses of the non-paediatricians on common issues such as whether to use aminophylline suppositories and whether swimming helps children grow out of asthma. These results have disturbing implications for the advice that specialists give to general practitioners, children, and parents.