Reflection on education and clinical care of asthma for lung longevity (RECALL)

Pediatric and adult asthma account for increased healthcare utilization. Preventative measures such as ongoing adherence of preventative medications from childhood to adulthood are essential for positive outcomes. To identify potential challenges for optimal pediatric asthma care, we surveyed adult patients to reflect on their asthma management practices, and education and treatment barriers when they were a child.

A descriptive cross sectional survey of specific and open-ended questions in an urban academic medical center. Adult asthmatics (18-30 years old) who participated in a previous pediatric asthma study or received care from the adult emergency department (ED) were enrolled.

Forty-one adult asthmatic patients (mean (S.D.) age 22.5 (3.5) years and 65.9% females) participated in the survey. Reported childhood asthma related experiences include never attended an asthma education session in almost two-thirds surveyed; their mother or grandmother as the primary person responsible for administering their medications (95.1%); inhaled short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) use information was not helpful (46.3%); wanted to learn more about allergic triggers (78%); and the need for additional asthma educational sessions (48.7%).

All healthcare providers are encouraged to provide continuous asthma education to their pediatric patients and their family members or guardian.