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The importance of a community-based asthma helpline
1Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. cicuttol@njc.org
Background:
Individuals with asthma must often make management decisions without the support of asthma care providers. A toll-free asthma helpline is one solution for an easily accessible, community-based service to support individuals with management dilemmas. The study evaluated a toll-free asthma helpline staffed by Certified Asthma Educators (CAEs).
Methods:
Helpline CAEs assessed and responded to callers' needs. Data collection occurred during the initial helpline call and a follow-up call 12-16 weeks later. 1,400 of 1,828 (76.6%) eligible callers randomly selected for participation completed the study.
Results:
Most callers (79%) had poorly controlled asthma during their initial call. CAEs often advised callers (> 75%) to return to their asthma provider for assistance as a result of uncontrolled asthma, medication concerns, a questionable diagnosis, or the need for an action plan. Most participants (71%) returned to their provider and received medication changes (72%).
Conclusion:
The helpline is an important service to individuals affected by asthma (typically uncontrolled) through educating and coaching callers to discuss questions and concerns with their asthma providers.
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