Improving childcare staff management of acute asthma exacerbation - An Australian pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an asthma first-aid training tool for childcare staff in Australia. The effects of training on both asthma knowledge and skills were assessed.


METHODS
A pre/post-study design was utilised to assess changes in asthma knowledge and asthma first-aid skills in childcare staff before and after an educational intervention. Asthma first-aid skills were assessed from the participant's response to two scenarios in which a child was having a severe exacerbation of asthma. Asthma knowledge and asthma skills scores were collected at base-line and 3 weeks post the education session, which involved feedback on each individual's skills and a brief lecture on asthma delivered via PowerPoint presentation.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement after intervention in asthma knowledge (Z = -3.638, p < 0.001) and asthma first-aid skills for both scenario 1 (Z = -6.012, p < 0.001) and scenario 2 (Z = -6.018, p < 0.001). In scenario 1 and 2, first-aid skills improved by 65% (p < 0.001) and 57% (p < 0.001), respectively. Asthma knowledge was high at baseline (79%) and increased by 7% (p < 0.001) after the educational intervention. These asthma knowledge results were not significant when adjusted for prior knowledge. Results suggest that knowledge assessment alone may not predict the practical skills needed for asthma first-aid.


CONCLUSIONS
Skills assessment is a useful adjunct to knowledge assessment when gauging the ability of childcare staff to manage acute asthma exacerbation. Skills assessment could be considered for incorporation into future educational interventions to improve management of acute asthma exacerbation.
a National Prescribing Service , Learning Specialist Program & Product Development , Surry Hills , Australia.
Yien Yien
YY
Soo
b Department of Pharmacy, University of Sydney , Camperdown Campus , Sydney , Australia.
Kate Helen
KH
Luckie
b Department of Pharmacy, University of Sydney , Camperdown Campus , Sydney , Australia.
Bandana
B
Saini
c The University of Sydney , Woolcock Institute of Medical Research , Sydney , Australia.
Vicky
V
Kritikos
d Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine , John Hunter Hospital , Hunter , 2310 Australia.
John D
JD
Brannan
b Department of Pharmacy, University of Sydney , Camperdown Campus , Sydney , Australia.
Rebekah Jane
RJ
Moles
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D001315:Australia; D057189:Checklist; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
Asthma; asthma first-aid training; asthma knowledge; caregivers; education intervention; program evaluation; simulation; skills assessment