Efficacy of a Tailored Education Program for Caregivers of Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Background:The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a tailored education program based on behavioral and psychological factor. Methods:Caregivers of asthmatic children were randomly assigned to the tailored education or non-tailored education groups. The former underwent a tailored program using a touch-screen computer, in which they received tailored messages generated by a computer program. A research nurse and clinical psychologist used computer-based resources to tailor the education messages and provided counseling to the caregivers, using motivational interviewing. The second group received only a booklet on asthma. Participants were asked about their asthma knowledge, self-efficacy on self-management, asthmatic parents’ quality of life scale (QOLCA). Findings:A total of 65 caregivers were randomly assigned to each groups. The results of general linear mixed models, the tailored education group was observed to have increasing at asthma knowledge scores and QOLCA scores over time, as compared to the non-tailored education group. Discussion:The current educational intervention was thus shown to significantly improve the quality of life of the caregivers.