A randomized controlled trial of a nurse-led education pathway for asthmatic children from outpatient to home

Background Education for asthmatic children in the outpatient department is insufficient. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of a nurse-led education pathway, a standard education programme, on children with asthma. Methods One hundred and eighty participants enrolled and were randomly assigned to either the control group or the intervention group. The intervention group received predetermined step-by-step education sessions based on the self-designed education pathway, while the control group received usual care. Asthma control, health-related quality of life, and health-care utilization measures were taken at baseline and at follow-up visits between February 2016 and May 2018. Results Significantly higher scores for health-related quality of life and inhaler technique at the third-month visit and asthma control test at the sixth-month visit were seen in the intervention group. The numbers of unscheduled physician visits and school absences were lower in the intervention group than in the control group within 6 months. However, no significant differences were observed in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Conclusion The nurse-led education pathway could be considered effective for children with asthma visiting the outpatient department.