The Role of Patient and Parents Education in the Management of Pediatric Asthma

Lim, Jee Youn; Chung, Soon Mi; Choung, Ji Tae

Abstract

PURPOSE
Patient education is an important part of asthma management. This study was designed to evaluate the role of education program for asthmatic children and their parents. In the western countries, the effectiveness of patient education on improving self-management of asthma has been well documented. However, data from Korean population is lacking.
METHODS
We performed the study to evaluate the efficacy of a hospital based education program aimed at improving self-management skills and reducing morbidity. Twenty patient and their parents attending Korea University Ansan Hospital allergy clinic were enrolled in the study. They were instructed 4 times of 10-15 minutes session with every 3 month interval on the pathophysiology of asthma, treatment and the appropriate use of medication including proper inhaler technique and the self-management of their diseases. The instructions were reinforced by three more education session at subsequent outpatient clinic attendance. RESULT: After twelve months, morbidity was assessed by the numbers of hospitalization, emergency department attendance and outpatient clinic attendance, use of oral steroids and steroid inhalation and impairment of quality of life. The efficacy of the education was demonstrated by significant reduction in the number of hospitalization(P<0.005), emergency department visit(P<0.005), outpatient clinic visit(P<0.05) and reduction of oral steroid use(P<0.001). There were also reduction of outpatient department attendance and improvement in steroid inhalation and quality of life.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study suggest that a proper patient education is essential in reduction of asthma morbidity and improving in quality of life.