Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma

Gibson PG, Powell H, Wilson A, Hensley MJ, Abramson MJ, Bauman A, Walters EH, Roberts JJL

Published Online:

October 8, 2008

Using a systematic approach, the medical literature was searched thoroughly to find reliable studies that looked at the effects of improving patients' knowledge about asthma, but which did not attempt to improve practical self-management skills. The results of the studies were combined to see if patient education designed to improve patient knowledge about their condition made a difference to their asthma. Improving patient knowledge alone does not seem to reduce hospitalisations, doctor visits or medication use for asthma, but may play a role in improving patients perceptions of their symptoms. However, education programmes designed to improve knowledge alone may reduce Emergency Room visits in high-risk adults.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

A key component of many asthma management guidelines is the recommendation for patient education and regular medical review. A number of controlled trials have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of asthma education programmes. These programmes improve patient knowledge, but their impact on health outcomes is less well established. At its simplest level, education is limited to the transfer of information about asthma, its causes and its treatment. This review focused on the effects of limited asthma education.

Objectives:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of limited (i.e. information only) asthma education on health outcomes in adults with asthma.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group trials register and reference lists of articles.

Selection criteria:

Randomised and controlled trials of individual asthma education involving information transfer only in adults over 16 years of age.

Data collection and analysis:

Trial quality was assessed and two reviewers extracted data independently. Study authors were contacted for missing information.

Main results:

Twelve trials were included. They were of variable quality. Limited asthma education did not reduce hospitalisation for asthma (weighted mean difference -0.03 average hospitalisations per person per year, 95% confidence interval -0.09 to 0.03). There was no significant effect on doctor visits, lung function and medication use. The effects on asthma symptoms were variable. There was no reduction in days lost from normal activity, but in two studies, perceived asthma symptoms did improve after limited asthma education (odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.74). In one study, limited asthma education was associated with reduced emergency department visits (reduction of -2.76 average visits per person per year, 95% confidence interval -4.34 to 1.18).

Authors' conclusions:

Use of limited asthma education as it has been practiced does not appear to improve health outcomes in adults with asthma although perceived symptoms may improve. Provision of information in the emergency department may be effective, but this needs to be confirmed.

This record should be cited as:

Gibson PG, Powell H, Wilson A, Hensley MJ, Abramson MJ, Bauman A, Walters EH, Roberts JJL. Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1998, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001005. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001005

Assessed as up to date:

September 3, 2001

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Primary Review Group:

Airways Group

Asthma topics:

Living with Asthma > Disease Management

Health topics:

Lungs & airways > Asthma (chronic) > Self-management & education

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma

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