The standard of care for allergies within a primary care (PC) setting has a strong influence on disease prevention and control, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. The level of knowledge of allergic diseases and the accessibility to regular follow-up are essential. EAACI and IPCRG conducted a survey to evaluate the actual status of care for allergic diseases in PC. Access to allergy and asthma specialist treatment was identified as the greatest ‘unmet need’. The average waiting time between a referral and being seen in a public health service is usually >6 weeks. Referring the patients to an ‘organ’ specialist is much easier compared with referral to an allergist. Most PCPs have access to blood tests for total and specific IgE. Skin prick testing is available in only half of the cases, while provocation tests, allergen quantification in homes, and a dietician service are even less available. 20.6% of practices do not have access to allergy tests at all. Other issues raised were low political or general public awareness, lack of understanding by the patients of their allergic disease, the need to invest in PC, and to achieve sufficient competence at the appropriate level of care.

References

1Ryan D, Levy M, Morris A, Walker S. Management of allergic problems in primary care: time for a rethink? Prim Care Respir J 2005; 14: 195–203.
10.1016/j.pcrj.2005.01.003
PubMed Google Scholar
2Ryan D, Grant-Casey J, Scadding G, Pereira S, Pinnock H, Sheikh A. Management of allergic rhinitis in UK primary care: baseline audit. Prim Care Respir J 2005; 14: 204–209.
10.1016/j.pcrj.2005.03.009
PubMed Google Scholar
3Rabe KF, Vermeire PA, Soriano JB, Maier WC. Clinical management of asthma in 1999: the Asthma Insights and Reality in Europe (AIRE) study. Eur Respir J 2000; 16: 802–807.
10.1183/09031936.00.16580200
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
4Wallengren J. Identification of core competencies for primary care of allergy patients using a modified Delphi technique. BMC Med Educ 2011; 11: 12.
10.1186/1472-6920-11-12
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
5Hazeldine M, Worth A, Levy ML, Sheikh A. 2009 Follow-up survey of GPs' perceptions of UK allergy services. Prim Care Respir J 2010; 19: 84–86.
10.4104/pcrj.2010.00002
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
6Cimbollek S, Plaza V, Quirce S, Costa R, Urrutia I, Ojeda P et al. Knowledge, attitude and adherence of Spanish healthcare professionals to asthma management recommendations during pregnancy. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.aller.2011.09.010 [Epub ahead of print].
Google Scholar
7Lowe G, Kirkwood E, Harkness S. Survey of anaphylaxis management by general practitioners in Scotland. Scott Med J 2010; 55: 11–14.
10.1258/rsmsmj.55.3.11
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
8Lombardi C, Bettoncelli G, Canonica GW, Passalacqua G. The perception of allergen-specific immunotherapy among Italian general practitioners. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 44: 80–82.
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
9Kaminski ER, Bethune CA, Jones RB. Complexity of case mix in a regional allergy service. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5: 103.
10.1186/1756-0500-5-103
PubMed Google Scholar
10Kwong KY, Eghrari-Sabet JS, Mendoza GR, Platts-Mills T, Horn R. The benefits of specific immunoglobulin E testing in the primary care setting. Am J Manag Care 2011; 17: S447–S459.
PubMed Google Scholar
11Zethraeus N, Petersson CJ, Dozzi M, Borres MP, Vignati G, Fiocchi A. Health-care cost reduction resulting from primary-care allergy testing in children in Italy. Ital J Pediatr 2010; 36: 61.
10.1186/1824-7288-36-61
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
12Eigenmann PA, Kuenzli M, D'Apuzzo V, Kehrt R, Joerg W, Reinhardt M et al. The ImmunoCAP^® rapid Wheeze/Rhinitis child test is useful in the initial allergy diagnosis of children with respiratory symptom. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009; 20: 772–779.
10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00866.x
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
13Høst A, Andrae S, Charkin S, Diaz-Vázquez C, Dreborg S, Eigenmann PA et al. Allergy testing in children: why, who, when and how? Allergy 2003; 58: 559–569.
10.1034/j.1398-9995.2003.00238.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
14Jacobsen L, Niggemann B, Dreborg S, Ferdousi HA, Halken S, Høst A et al. Specific immunotherapy has long-term preventive effect of seasonal and perennial asthma: 10-year follow-up on the PAT study. Allergy 2007; 62: 943–948.
10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01451.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
15Costa DJ, Amouyal M, Lambert P, Ryan D, Schünemann HJ, Daures JP et al. How representative are clinical study patients with allergic rhinitis in primary care? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 127: 920–926.
10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.058
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
16Yilmaz O, Reisli I, Tahan F, Orhan F, Boz AB, Yuksel H. Influence of education on primary care physicians' knowledge on childhood allergy as a systemic disease and the atopic march. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2011; 39: 73–78.
10.1016/j.aller.2010.03.012
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
17Baldacci S, Maio S, Simoni M, Cerrai S, Sarno G, Silvi P et al. The ARGA study with general practitioners: impact of medical education on asthma/rhinitis management. Respir Med 2012; 106: 777–785.
10.1016/j.rmed.2012.02.013
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume68, Issue7

July 2013

Pages 836-843

Allergy management in primary care across European countries – actual status

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

Allergy management in primary care across European countries – actual status

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information