The effect of a nurse‐led home visit program on the care burden of caregivers of adults with asthma: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effect of a home visit program on the perceived care burden of family caregivers of adults with asthma.DesignA single‐blind randomized controlled trial.SampleThe study was conducted with 30 participants in both the intervention and control groups.MeasurementsCare burden was measured via the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale during the first interview at the pulmonology outpatient clinic and after the last home visit.InterventionA nurse‐led home visit program with five visits over three months included education and health counseling with the intervention group. Control group received standard education given in the outpatient clinic.ResultsThe mean Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale scores of the intervention group in the post‐test were significantly lower than the control group.ConclusionsThe current study revealed that the nurse‐led home visit program, including education and health counseling, was effective in reducing the care burden for family caregivers of adults with asthma. Nurses can play an active role in preventing the negative effects of caregivers’ burden of care, protecting their sense of control, and improving their health. Home visits integrated into the health care system could be effective in reducing the care burden of family members.

Nurses’ Role in the Control and Treatment of Asthma in Adults: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The evidence gathered from the articles analyzed allowed us to identify that nurses play a crucial role in the control and treatment of asthma [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], as there is substantial evidence that supports systematic follow-up or structured consultations on asthma by nurses [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 19 , 25 , 28 ].…”

“…Of the interventions identified in this review, the largest consensus was on the education of individuals with asthma [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In this sense, the following topics that nurses should address in an asthma-related consultation stand out: (i) general information about asthma [ 14 , 28 ], (ii) medication regimen [ 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 27 , 28 ], (iii) environmental control [ 17 , 18 , 28 ], (iv) prevention and management of exacerbations [ 19 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 28 ], (v) self-management of the disease [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 25 ], (vi) when to seek out health services [ 22 , 25 ], (vii) understanding the treatment plan [ 19 , 23 ], (viii) breathing exercises [ 16 , 23 ], (ix) use of PEF devices [ 23 , 24 ] and (x) inhalation technique [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 23 , 25 , …”

“…Given the importance of the correct use of medication for asthma management, the articles analyzed reinforce that the role of nurses should go beyond simple education, and also include the verification and training of inhalation technique [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Therefore, the evaluation of the need to use an expansion chamber in the administration of inhaled medication was also pointed out as a role of the nurse when verifying the inhalation technique [ 15 , 16 , 21 ].…”

“…Several studies analyzed show the importance of the role of nurses in empowering individuals with asthma to self-manage the disease [ 13 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 27 ], corroborating the B2 criterion of the Regulation of the Competence Profile of General Care Nurses [ 30 ] and the application of Orem’s self-care theory in patients with asthma [ 31 ]. It was also found to be useful to involve the family in their care [ 17 , 18 , 23 , 28 ] and/or home visits [ 28 ]. For self-management of the disease by individuals with asthma, it is essential to use written action plans carried out jointly between the health team and the patient [ 14 , 16 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 25 ].…”

“…Another role evidenced by the articles analyzed was the establishment of a supportive therapeutic relationship between nurses and asthma patients [ 13 , 22 , 25 , 27 , 28 ]. In this sense, one SRL identified communication, trust, and follow-up over time as essential elements of support for people with asthma [ 35 ].…”