Randomized controlled trial of asthma education after discharge from an emergency department

Abstract

Reinforcement by telephone consultation did not improve the primary outcome of wheeze in the last 3 months. However, it increased the possession and regular use of written asthma action plans in the intervention group.

Promoting the use of Personal Asthma Action Plans: a systematic review

“…Amongst the trials which specified their primary outcomes, only two cited action plan measures, 27,30 with the remainder citing clinical measures -including medication use and hospitalisation rates -as their primary focus. 22,23,25,26,29 The language used to describe similar action plan outcomes varied considerably, and some inconsistencies were noted (see Table 1). For example, in one paper the abstract cited action plan use as an outcome, the text referred to patients receiving action plans, whilst tabular data reported patients having action plans.…”

“…Summaries of the 14 trials including type of action plans, interventions, and key findings (but excluding participant details) are shown in Table 1. Studies were published between 1993-2005 in the UK, [24][25][26][27] Australia, 18,20,22,28,29 United States, 21,30 Denmark, 31 Canada, 23 and New Zealand. 19 The methodological quality of these RCTs was assessed for performance, detection and attrition bias, and was graded 'A' (low risk of bias) to 'C' (high risk).…”

“…32 One study was graded 'A', 28 three were graded 'B', 25,27,30 and the remainder were graded 'C'. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]26,29,31 Participants were people with asthma (or their parents) (n=4438), doctors (n=107) and general practice teams (n=43) ( Table 2). Studies investigated either adults (over 16 years) only, 18,[22][23][24]27,31 adults and children, 19,20,25,29 children only, 26 or children with their health professionals.…”

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]26,29,31 Participants were people with asthma (or their parents) (n=4438), doctors (n=107) and general practice teams (n=43) ( Table 2). Studies investigated either adults (over 16 years) only, 18,[22][23][24]27,31 adults and children, 19,20,25,29 children only, 26 or children with their health professionals. 21,28,30 Most participants had moderate-to-severe asthma 22,28 or were recruited following medical care for acute asthma.…”

“…21,28,30 Most participants had moderate-to-severe asthma 22,28 or were recruited following medical care for acute asthma. 18,19,21,[23][24][25]29 Studies used various recruitment strategies (Table 2) including general practice registration/attendance, 20,27 hospital admission, 24,25 and questionnaire completion. 26,28,31 Two studies included patients over 70 years of age.…”