Highlights
- •Caregivers had suboptimal understanding of the disease process and home management.
- •All caregivers reported that they would benefit from additional asthma education.
- •27% of caregivers reported that they had a written asthma control plan.
- •13% caregivers reported the correct mechanism of action and use of inhaled steroids.
- •Caregivers reported that they frequently felt stressed about caring for their child.
Abstract
Introduction
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Caregiver knowledge is
essential to optimize patient quality and safety. Asthma education is an opportunity
that can lead to decreased morbidity and mortality, reduced admission rates, lower
cost, and improved outcomes for a child with chronic asthma.
Objective
The purpose of this quality improvement study was to obtain information from caregivers
of children with asthma to gain insight into their knowledge gaps and needs as a critical
first step towards the provision of patient centered effective and efficient care.
Methods
This was a descriptive educational knowledge assessment conducted using questionnaires
via a hand-held electronic device (iPad).
Results
All caregivers in this study reported that they desired more education. Specific knowledge
deficits were identified and included: understanding the pathophysiology of asthma,
mechanism of action of use of medications including both rescue and maintenance agents,
and initial actions to implement during an acute asthma exacerbation.
Conclusion
Caregivers in this sample population had a suboptimal understanding of the asthma
disease process and home management strategies.
Practice implications
To maximize education strategies and achieve symptom control and risk reduction in
the care of children with asthma, it is imperative that caregivers clearly understand
asthma home management and actively participate in all aspects of their child's care.
The identification of specific gaps and needs in caregiver's knowledge base is a critical
first step towards the provision of patient-centered effective and efficient pediatric
asthma care.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 06, 2022
Accepted:
March 18,
2022
Received in revised form:
March 6,
2022
Received:
September 19,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
