Survey Identifies Barriers to AE-C Recertification

Abstract

The goal of the certification of asthma educators is to improve the quality and consistency of standardized asthma education, based on the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3). Certification also paves the way toward reimbursement for asthma education. The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition (WAC) was interested in the value of asthma educator certification and whether AE-C will seek recertification. The creation of the AE-C survey was led by the WAC education workgroup. The survey questions assessed intention to take the recertification exam, perceived value and utilization of AE-C at current place of employment, perceived benefits of AE-C, compensation received, and willingness to serve as a resource and mentor. The survey was posted on SurveyMonkey.com, and the link was e-mailed to 124 AE-Cs located in Wisconsin. The response rate was 56.6% (N = 60). Forty-two percent did not intend to retake the exam upon expiration. The 3 primary reasons for not retaking the exam included no longer working in the field, no benefit from being an AE-C, and exam cost. Fifty percent felt having an AE-C on staff was not valued by their current employer. AE-Cs alone are rarely required to provide asthma services (range, 1.8%-7.1%; n = 56). Most often, either the AE-C or another staff member performs asthma services (range, 41.1%-64.3%), with about a quarter of these preferring AE-C (range, 21.7%-27.8%). Seventy-five percent felt their employer should increase utilization of AE-C. The cost of the National Asthma Educator Certification Board exam, perception of little benefit of AE-C, and perceived value of AE-C by current employers serve as significant barriers for AE-Cs to seek recertification.