Impact of a computer-assisted education program on factors related to asthma self-management behavior.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate Watch, Discover, Think and Act (WDTA), a theory-based application of CD-ROM educational technology for pediatric asthma self-management education.


METHODS
A prospective pretest posttest randomized intervention trial was used to assess the motivational appeal of the computer-assisted instructional program and evaluate the impact of the program in eliciting change in knowledge, self-efficacy, and attributions of children with asthma. Subjects were recruited from large urban asthma clinics, community clinics, and schools. Seventy-six children 9 to 13 years old were recruited for the evaluation.


RESULTS
Repeated-measures analysis of covariance showed that knowledge scores increased significantly for both groups, but no between-group differences were found (P: = 0.55); children using the program scored significantly higher (P: < 0.01) on questions about steps of self-regulation, prevention strategies, and treatment strategies. These children also demonstrated greater self-efficacy (P: < 0.05) and more efficacy building attribution classification of asthma self-management behaviors (P: < 0.05) than those children who did not use the program.


CONCLUSIONS
The WDTA is an intrinsically motivating educational program that has the ability to effect determinants of asthma self-management behavior in 9- to 13-year-old children with asthma. This, coupled with its reported effectiveness in enhancing patient outcomes in clinical settings, indicates that this program has application in pediatric asthma education.
Shegog
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Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. rshegog@sph.uth.tmc.edu
Bartholomew
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Parcel
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Sockrider
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Mâsse
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Abramson
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D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014584:User-Computer Interface