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Published on: August 1, 2019
Assessment of a University-Based Outpatient Asthma Education Program for Children
Insights
A pediatric asthma intervention program significantly reduced clinic visits and steroid bursts in children. This asthma education program improved asthma control and is recommended as a standard of care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting millions of children worldwide.
- Effective management strategies are crucial to reduce asthma-related morbidity and healthcare utilization.
- Pediatric asthma intervention programs aim to improve patient outcomes through education and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a pediatric asthma intervention program on reducing asthma morbidity.
- To assess the effectiveness of a home-based asthma education program delivered by a certified nurse educator.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 901 pediatric patients diagnosed with asthma.
- Patients were assigned to either a control group or an intervention group receiving education on asthma pathophysiology, trigger avoidance, and medication use.
- The intervention included home visits and education, though full uptake was limited.
Main Results:
- Children in the intervention group experienced significantly fewer total clinic visits (IRR=0.53, p < .01) compared to controls.
- The need for oral steroid bursts was also significantly reduced in the intervention group (IRR=0.47, p < .01).
- Despite challenges in intervention delivery, positive outcomes were observed.
Conclusions:
- A structured pediatric asthma education program can effectively decrease asthma morbidity, evidenced by reduced clinic visits and steroid use.
- The findings support the integration of dedicated asthma educators into healthcare settings.
- This intervention should be considered a standard of care for pediatric asthma management across all health-care settings.
Introduction:
To assess the effect of a pediatric asthma intervention program on reducing asthma morbidity.
Methods:
Study eligibility criteria included aged less than 18 years and at least two office visits for asthma in the previous year. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control or intent to intervene group. The intervention included home visits and education on the basic pathophysiology of asthma, self-management techniques, modification of asthma triggers, and proper use of asthma medications by a certified nurse educator.
Results:
Using simple randomization, 901 eligible pediatric patients with asthma were assigned; 458 to the control and 443 to the intent to intervene group. Of the 443 patients randomized to the intent to intervene group, 271 received the asthma education intervention. Most of the remaining 172 patients in the intent to intervene group did not receive the intervention owing to not having an appointment during the study period. Only 27 families allowed a home visit. After controlling for the difference in sex, children in the intent to intervene group had significantly less total clinic visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.53, p < .01), and steroid bursts (IRR = 0.47, p < .01) than controls.
Discussion:
The implementation of a pediatric asthma education program decreased both the total clinic visits and the need for steroid bursts consistent with better asthma control. We demonstrated the benefit of a dedicated asthma educator in university-based community practice and recommend this intervention be considered a standard of care for children with asthma in all health-care settings.
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