title: LEAP: A randomized-controlled trial of a lay-educator inpatient asthma education program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of LEAP, a volunteer-based, inpatient asthma education program for families of inner-city children with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  711 children ages 2-17 years admitted with status asthmaticus were randomized to receive usual care or usual care plus a supplemental education intervention. Both groups completed a baseline interview. Trained volunteer lay educators conducted individualized bedside education with the intervention group. Primary outcome was attendance at a post-hospitalization follow-up visit 7-10 days after discharge. Secondary outcomes included parent-reported asthma management behaviors, symptoms, and self-efficacy scores from a one month follow-up interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-hospitalization asthma clinic attendance was poor (38%), with no difference between groups. Families randomized to the intervention group were more likely to report use of a controller (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.2, p<0.01) and a valved-holding chamber (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.4, p=0.03), and were more likely to have an asthma action plan at follow up (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0, p<0.01). Asthma self-efficacy scores were significantly improved among those who received the intervention (p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inpatient asthma education by trained lay volunteers was associated with improved asthma management behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel volunteer-based program could have widespread implications as a sustainable model for asthma education.
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: Jrice25@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Matlack
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Marsha D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steinfeld
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Laws
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dovey
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Robyn T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Cohen
keywords: Asthma; Asthma education; Inpatient education; Lay educator; Pediatric asthma; Social cognitive theory