Journal of the Indian Medical Association
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Since significant number of cases of bronchial asthma are first seen by general practitioners (GPs) and physicians, the present study was undertaken to assess the asthma management practices among GPs and physicians in and around Pune city of Maharashtra. It was a prospective study in which 40 GPs and 30 physicians were personally administered a questionnaire dealing with use of diagnostic methods and management plan in chronic asthma. Spirometry was used for diagnosis by 16 physicians (53.3%) and 7 GPs (17.5%) and peak flow meter by 1 GP (2.5%) and 5 physicians (16.6%). ⋯ Overall management skills of physicians were better than GPs. However, they need to be educated about more frequent use of spirometry or peak flow meter in confirmation of diagnosis, increasing use of inhalation therapy, emphasising the role of inhaled steroids to patients and providing optimal asthma education to all patients. There is an urgent need to educate GPs in almost all aspects of asthma management.