A randomized controlled trial of a nurse‐led education pathway for asthmatic children from outpatient to home.

Background: Education for asthmatic children in the outpatient department is insufficient. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a nurse‐led education pathway, a standard education programme, on children with asthma. Methods: One hundred and eighty participants enrolled and were randomly assigned to either the control group or the intervention group. The intervention group received predetermined step‐by‐step education sessions based on the self‐designed education pathway, while the control group received usual care. Asthma control, health‐related quality of life, and health‐care utilization measures were taken at baseline and at follow‐up visits between February 2016 and May 2018. Results: Significantly higher scores for health‐related quality of life and inhaler technique at the third‐month visit and asthma control test at the sixth‐month visit were seen in the intervention group. The numbers of unscheduled physician visits and school absences were lower in the intervention group than in the control group within 6 months. However, no significant differences were observed in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Conclusion: The nurse‐led education pathway could be considered effective for children with asthma visiting the outpatient department. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Education for asthmatic children in the outpatient department is fragmented and insufficient.Previous education programmes only provided information and did not check the patient's mastery of knowledge or assess their living environment.Education based on the clinical pathway has been implemented in emergency departments and inpatient hospitals but not in outpatient departments. What this paper adds? This study displays positive evidence of the effects of a nurse‐led education pathway on asthma control, health‐related quality of life, inhaler technique, and health‐care use.Education incorporating the home environment assessment and telephone consultations can be more beneficial for patients' self‐management of asthma.Children with asthma and their families acquire sufficient education related to improvements in health outcomes and health‐care use. The implications of this paper: This study provides evidence to support the use of a predesigned standard educational programme in children with asthma.This study indicates that education based on the clinical pathway can also be used in outpatient departments for continuity of care.The education pathway in this study provides a comprehensive education model for children with asthma that can also be implemented in other studies through the construction of care pathways adapted to specific diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]