At the end of the class series, participants complete evaluations that measure knowledge, quality of life, and self-management behaviour outcomes of the program. It is scheduled to call all participants (including Lisa) at 3, 6, and 12 months after completing the classes to confirm retention of the material learned in class. By making the patients take control of their asthma management in general and inhaler application in particular they are able to take their medicines properly, recognizing, reporting, and treating asthma symptoms promptly. Further, since all of the sessions were held at community-based settings, a high rate of enrolment and retention is evidenced (Boulet, 1994).
In the process of carrying out this exercise, the following area of deficiency with the present execution was identified:
“Barriers to participation, such as inaccessible locations and times when classes are offered, need to be eliminated in order for patients and their families to attend and fully participate in the inhaler educational program. Programs that are community-based have been shown to be most effective. Such programs also need to be highly accessible to patients and their families who live in urban inner-city communities to insure recruitment and retention of participants” (Owen, 1994).
The report also identifies the importance of follow-up sessions to ensure that the patient is able to retain the learned skills in using the inhaler. This way, the patient can continue to manage his/her asthma with the least amount of medication. The follow-up plan is also so scheduled keeping in mind the patients’ level of understanding and the nature of their asthma.
References:
Barnes, Greta R., and Kenneth R. Chapman. “Asthma education: the United Kingdom experience. ” Chest. 106.n4 (Oct 1994): 216S(3).
Owen, Grahame. “Consideration of program and techniques for general practice. ” Chest. 106.n4 (Oct 1994): 235S(2).
Buckner, Ellen B., Ashley M. Hawkins, Lynn Stover, Jennifer Brakefield, Sharon Simmons, Cynthia Foster, Sheree L. Payne, Jean Newsome, and Gustavo Dubois. “Knowledge, resilience, and effectiveness of education in a young teen asthma camp. ” Pediatric Nursing. 31.3 (May-June 2005): 201(8).
Hume, Leigh. “A wheeze by any other name? (Critical Thinking in Critical Care). ” Pediatric Nursing. 28.4 (July-August 2002): 390(2).
Slutsky, Phyllis, and Tyra Bryant-Stephens. “Developing a Comprehensive, Community-Based Asthma Education and Training Program. ” Pediatric Nursing. 27.5 (Sept-Oct 2001): 449.
Boychuk, Rodney B., Charles J. DeMesa, Kristi M. Kiyabu, Franklin Yamamoto, Loren G. Yamamoto, Ron Sanderson, Brenda Gartner, Rebecca Donovan, Sheila Beckham, Corilyn Pang, Rebecca Fanucchi, and Valerie Chong. “Change in approach and delivery of medical care in children with asthma: results from a multicenter emergency department educational asthma management program. ” Pediatrics. 117.4 (April 2006): S145(7).
Ebbinghaus, Simone, and Abdul H. Bahrainwala. “Asthma management by an inpatient asthma care team. (Continuing Education Series). ” Pediatric Nursing. 29.3 (May-June 2003): 177(7).
Boulet, Louis-Philippe, Kenneth R. Chapman, Lawrence W. Green, and J. Mark FitzGerald. “Asthma education. ” Chest. 106.n4 (Oct 1994): 184S(13).