Family Learning on Asthma Topics

Abstract

Background: Utilizing group education promotes problem solving, stimulates conversation, and provides shame free environments to decrease stigmas. Providing comprehensive education by an experienced certified asthma educator (AE-C) is an important step in supporting patients diagnosed with asthma.

Methods: Patients 2 to 17 years of age who were prescribed ≥2 systemic steroid courses, had ≥ 2 emergency department visits, and/or ≥1 hospitalization for asthma exacerbation the preceding 12 months were identified having poorly controlled asthma. These patients and their legal guardian/caregiver were recruited from pulmonary clinic or inpatient services to participate in classroom asthma education provided by a AE-C to address real life problem-solving and promote self-awareness regarding medication use. Post card consent was obtained for the patient and legal guardian to attend 1-2 classes over a four-month period; complete a pre/post asthma knowledge assessment; and receive text/phone call reminders prior to each class. The classroom education materials included audio and visual learning tools written at a fifth-grade reading level in both English and Spanish.

Results: Our goal was to recruit 50-75 patients over a 9-month period. Only eight patients were recruited for the study, four of them with their caregivers participated in the classroom education. Patients and caregivers who attended the class coincided with a clinic visit. Two of the four families completed the pre and post asthma knowledge survey. Revisit/readmissions were reviewed as a part of our outcome measures. None of the patients who participated in the classroom education had a revisit/readmission for asthma within 90 days and 100% of them attended their pulmonary clinic visit. One of the four patients who did not attend the classroom education had a revisit within 90 days and none of them have a scheduled specialist visit since enrolling.

Conclusions: Due to the low enrollment and completion of the program we were not able to effectively evaluate the program. Caregivers felt the classroom education was well worth their time. Many families are not willing to participate in any educational sessions outside of scheduled clinic visits. Obtaining pre or post survey results was found to be successful only when provided in person rather than via phone call, email, or text. We believe convenience played a significant role in patient and caregivers’ engagement and participation.