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Intervention models on psycho-social health in families with an asthmatic child
D Gustafsson1, N Olofsson, F Andersson
1Department of Paediatrics, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Sweden. dan.gustafsson@orebroll.se
Insights
Pediatric asthma management has shifted to families, increasing psychosocial burdens. Family meetings and school environment evaluations effectively reduced this burden, highlighting the need for family support alongside medical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Family Medicine
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Asthma prevalence has increased, yet hospitalizations for pediatric asthma have decreased.
- Treatment responsibility has shifted from healthcare systems to families, potentially increasing psychosocial stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore interventions for reducing psychosocial burden in families of children with asthma.
- To identify optimal support methods for families managing pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study evaluated three intervention methods: individual family meetings, family group meetings, and school environment evaluations.
- Participants included families of children diagnosed with asthma.
Main Results:
- All three tested interventions (family meetings, school environment assessment) significantly reduced the psychosocial burden associated with pediatric asthma.
- Family participation in disease-related discussions and school environment evaluations proved beneficial.
Conclusions:
- Supporting families through participatory meetings and school environment assessments is crucial for managing pediatric asthma.
- Integrated psychosocial support complements regular medical care for children with asthma.
Abstract:
Despite an increase in the prevalence of asthma during the last few decades, the need for hospital treatment of children with asthma has become less. One reason for this is that children and their parents are now more involved in the treatment of the disease, and responsibility has been shifted from the medical care system to the family. This new responsibility may cause increased psycho-social tension within the family. We conducted a pilot study on three limited methods of intervention to find the best way to help families in this respect. All three methods (individual family meetings, family group meetings, and evaluation of the child's environment in school) reduced the psychosocial burden of having a child with asthma. This indicates that families should be supported by being given the opportunity to participate in meetings to discuss the disease or to have the environment in the child's school evaluated, in addition to receiving regular medical care.