Identification of caregiver's knowledge and perceptions of pediatric asthma management: A quality improvement initiative.

Introduction: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Caregiver knowledge is essential to optimize patient quality and safety. Asthma education is an opportunity that can lead to decreased morbidity and mortality, reduced admission rates, lower cost, and improved outcomes for a child with chronic asthma.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement study was to obtain information from caregivers of children with asthma to gain insight into their knowledge gaps and needs as a critical first step towards the provision of patient centered effective and efficient care.

Methods: This was a descriptive educational knowledge assessment conducted using questionnaires via a hand-held electronic device (iPad).

Results: All caregivers in this study reported that they desired more education. Specific knowledge deficits were identified and included: understanding the pathophysiology of asthma, mechanism of action of use of medications including both rescue and maintenance agents, and initial actions to implement during an acute asthma exacerbation.

Conclusion: Caregivers in this sample population had a suboptimal understanding of the asthma disease process and home management strategies.

Practice Implications: To maximize education strategies and achieve symptom control and risk reduction in the care of children with asthma, it is imperative that caregivers clearly understand asthma home management and actively participate in all aspects of their child's care. The identification of specific gaps and needs in caregiver's knowledge base is a critical first step towards the provision of patient-centered effective and efficient pediatric asthma care.