Evaluation of a standardized patient education program for inpatient asthma rehabilitation: Impact on patient-reported health outcomes up to one year.

OBJECTIVES: To modify and evaluate a patient education program for adult asthma patients in consideration of quality criteria for teaching.

METHODS: This was a prospective single-center controlled trial in an inpatient rehabilitation center. The control group (n=215) received the usual lecture-based education program, and the intervention group (n=209) the modified patient education program. Data were assessed at admission, discharge, 6 and 12 months post discharge. The primary outcome was asthma control, the secondary outcomes were asthma knowledge, quality of life, and program acceptance. Analysis of change was performed by ANCOVA for each follow-up, adjusting for baseline values.

RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in all health outcomes and in asthma control were maintained in both groups at 12 months: CG: +1.9 (95%-CI 1.3-2.6) IG: +1.6 (95%-CI 0.8-2.3). We observed no significant differences between the programs for asthma control and quality of life. Regarding practical asthma knowledge, after 12 months, a group*time interaction emerged with a small effect size (P=0.06, η2=0.01).

CONCLUSION: The modified program was not superior to traditional patient education concerning asthma control. It permanently increased self-management knowledge.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Structured and behavioral patient education fosters patient's disease management ability. Possible ways of improving asthma control need to be explored.