Controlled evaluation of the effects of patient education on asthma morbidity in general practice.
Two different patient education programmes for asthma in general practice were evaluated in a controlled trial. Knowledge, self management, and morbidity due to asthma were assessed in 339 patients by means of a questionnaire. One group then received a maximum education programme, a second group received a limited education programme, and a third acted as a control group. 274 patients were reassessed after one 1 year. In both the intervention groups, understanding of asthma was greater after the trial. Only in the maximum intervention group was a significant improvement in knowledge of asthma shown. Neither group showed any change in self-management ability or asthma morbidity that differed significantly from changes in the control group. These simple informational education programmes were ineffective when applied to a general practice population. Further studies of factors affecting attitudes, beliefs, and actions are needed to improve the advice and support given to asthma patients.
Hilton
S
S
Sibbald
B
B
Anderson
H R
HR
Freeling
P
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005194:Family Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires