Better Outcomes at Lower Cost - American College of Allergy ...

ConclusionA substantial and growing body of publishedclinical data and other, economic researchshows significant differences in treatmentoutcomes and costs between asthma care thatis managed by generalists who have nospecialty training in the complexities ofasthma, and disease management that is underthe direction of an allergist.An evidence-based review of the literatureindicates that aggressive management ofasthma by a specialist improves outcomes forpatients, lowers overall treatment costs forpayers, and reduces the indirect costs tosociety. Specialty care results in fewerhospitalizations and other emergencyinterventions, fewer missed days from work orschool, and significantly enhanced health andquality of life for those who suffer fromasthma.Despite all this, some health care plans todaystill place obstacles in front of patients seekingreferral to an asthma specialist, even whenreferral to a specialist is recommended in theNIH Guidelines and other national consensusrecommendations. [46-47] The result isconservative or sporadic treatment that allowsdisease progression, airway remodeling andpermanent damage to the lungs. Inadequatemanagement of asthma also results inincreased hospitalizations, emergency care andother high-priced interventions, and adds tothe number of days missed from work orschool.As more is learned about the mechanisms ofasthma and its risk factors, and as newtherapies are developed, the allergist can beexpected to be at the forefront helping tocontrol disease severity and diminish itsprogression.16