Electronic clinical decision support system (eCDSS) in the management of asthma: from theory to practice

Controlling symptoms while minimising the side-effects of treatment is the main aim of asthma management. If a patient's asthma stabilises, the clinician should then consider stepping down the treatment [1]. In practice, the implementation of step-down or step-up strategies includes 1) the use of risk prediction, 2) tools to support shared decision-making and 3) communication between clinicians and patients about risk. Major contributors to poor asthma control include the following evidence-based care gaps [2]: 1) monitoring of control, resulting in the under-recognition of suboptimal control, 2) adjustment of medication, and 3) delivery of an asthma action plan. Electronic decision support systems may improve asthma control <http://ow.ly/UoAe30o6IEC>