An evidence-based education program to promote health outcomes in asthmatic children

Abstract

Asthma is a common chronic disease for children and is a leading cause for their hospitalization. Despite its negative health impact, a local survey has shown that children with asthma as well as their parents have a lack of understanding for asthma management (Wong, Wong, Chung & Lau, 2001). However, to help asthmatic children to better cope with their condition, it is important for health care professional such as nurses to enhance their knowledge in asthma management. Recent empirical research has shown that education promoting knowledge of asthma management can improve health outcomes in asthmatic children. Therefore, it is important to develop an evidence-based asthma education guideline for them.

This dissertation aims to evaluate the empirical evidence of the education program for asthmatic children, with the age ranging from 5 to 18, and their parents. The goal of the proposed program is to reduce their re-hospitalization rate by enhancing their knowledge of asthma care.

A translational nursing research was conducted and 10 studies focusing on asthma education program for children and their parents were identified from electronic databases. Critical appraisal was performed using the recognized assessment tool, named the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) (2008). Recommendations were developed based on the data extracted from the review. Based on the literatures reviewed, it was found that a 45-to-60 minute one-to-one educational intervention conducted by nurses using self-management plan is the most effective method for improving the health outcomes for asthmatic children.

A plan of translating the empirical information extracted from the review into practice was developed and the potential of implementation was assessed. Based on the assessment, it was found that there is high transferability of the findings from the review and the proposed innovation is feasible in the selected clinical setting. In addition, the benefits generated from the proposed innovation also outweigh its cost. An evidence-based guideline was then developed based on the high and medium level of evidence. The grades of the recommendation were stated as well.

A comprehensive communication plan targeting on various stakeholders was prepared. A pilot study was designed to examine the feasibility of the proposed innovation before the full-scale implementation.

The outcomes of the proposed innovation include the re-hospitalization rate of asthmatic children, the patients’ and nurses’ level of knowledge in asthma care, the satisfactory level of patients and nurses towards the innovation, the competency of nurses in conducting the innovation, and the utilization rate and the cost of the innovation. They would be evaluated using appropriate methodologies. The proposed innovation would be considered as effective if the primary outcome, the re-hospitalization rate of asthmatic children is reduced.