Compliance among members registered for the asthma disease risk management programme of a particular medical aid scheme

Abstract

The study sought to identify reasons for non-compliance among a particular medical aid scheme's members and their dependants registered for the asthma disease risk management (DRM) programme. A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken, using postal questionnaires. The research results indicated that most asthma patients were not compliant with the DRM programme because they lacked knowledge about the programme. Asthma patients' compliance with the DRM programme can be enhanced by health providers' and case managers' positive attitudes, better promotion of the programme, and by involving the patients in managing their illnesses. Asthma patients require education about healthy lifestyles, empowering them to successfully manage their condition, preventing asthma attacks and/or hospital admissions. When asthma is well-managed the patients' quality of life and general wellbeing will improve and the medical aid scheme's costs will be contained.