Getting families to follow through

As a primary care provider, I find that sometimes it takes many visits to build the relationship and trust that can help families to accept home visits as a part of better asthma self-management.  Providing a clear and consistent message over multiple visits is key.  Familes may decline home visits on multiple occasions, but sometimes it requires finding that "teachable moment" and bringing it up again - after an ER visit for a particularly severe asthma exacerbation, or when the family notices a visible hazard at home like mold or water damage. 

Additional educational material for families is available from the EPA here: http://www2.epa.gov/asthma/publications-about-asthma

In Albany, NY we are pursuing multiple paths to family engagement including:

• Using Medicaid Reform investments (also in other regions of NYS) through both providers and Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
• Engaging Community Leaders on the Medicaid Reform teams
• The County Health Departments are doing Breathe Easy Workshops in Public Housing Community Rooms
• As part of a NYS pilot, using Community Engagement facilitators in targeted high need neighborhoods.