| This quantitative descriptive study assessed the knowledge level and use of the 1997 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Asthma Guidelines, among Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). The study addressed awareness of the NHLBI Guidelines, as well as methods of asthma continuing education used by FNPs. FNP, patient and practice-setting factors, within the Conceptual Framework for the Development of FNP/Patient Partnership Outcomes, based on Pender's Health Promotion Theory, were used to examine the research questions. Overall low test scores indicated either an inadequate knowledge of the NHLBI Guidelines or use of an instrument that poorly discriminated the knowledge level of the Guidelines among the study sample. Only 25% of the sample used the NHLBI asthma guidelines 100% of the time, with others citing inadequate human support and/or clinical resources as barriers. Limitations of the study and recommendations for further research were included. |
