Understanding how personalized pediatric asthma information and support addresses rural families' unmet needs

Asthma is a leading cause of disease burden in children and is associated with high hospitalization rates, particularly in rural areas. The Asthma Care from Home project implemented a co-developed pediatric asthma care model to reduce unscheduled hospitalizations by improving evidence-based asthma discharge support for children with asthma and their families living in rural Australia. As part of an implementation evaluation, this study aimed to understand the acceptability, relevance and usefulness of the model from families' perspectives.

A purposive sample of parents of children aged 5-12 years, enrolled in the Asthma Care from Home project, participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview guides were developed following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Data were analyzed using an iterative hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis.

Twenty-nine parents participated in interviews. Families of children with asthma in rural areas face significant challenges, including limited access to timely, appropriate support and a lack of personalized care. The model helped address these needs by offering individualized support, reliable information, and education on asthma triggers. Families reported feeling empowered by the guidance provided through the model, which enhanced their ability to manage their child's asthma. Engagement with the model was, however, influenced on occasion by families' expectations, the complexity of asthma-related resources, and practical constraints such as time and financial pressures.

The asthma care model was acceptable and useful for rural families. These findings highlight the value of delivering personalized asthma support in rural areas that enable families to manage and prevent children's asthma exacerbations.