The Effect of a Structured Education Program on Knowledge and Psychomotor Skills of Patients Using Beclomethasone Dipropionate Aerosol for Steroid Dependent Asthma

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a structured education program on knowledge and psychomotor skills of subjects using inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate. The sample was comprised of 26 male outpatients with a mean age of sixty years (range 49-69 yrs) and mean educational level of 11 years (range 7-18 yrs). Subjects were tested to assess knowledge of drug action, self-administration, and side effects. Skill in self-administration was assessed by two independent raters who were blind to group assignment. Then, patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 13), who received a structured educational program, or a control group (n = 13), who received no structured educational interventions. Patients were retested four weeks after randomization. Subjects in the experimental and control groups did not differ significantly with respect to their initial mean knowledge and performance scores. The post-test mean knowledge score was significantly higher when compared to initial score for each group. Mean knowledge score at post-test did not differ significantly between groups. However, when comparing post-test performance scores to initial scores the experimental group had a significantly greater increase in mean score than the control group. It is concluded that a structured patient education program is an effective method for improving the psychomotor skills necessary for proper use of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol.

Educating young children about asthma: comparing the effectiveness of a developmentally appropriate asthma education video tape and picture book

“…The control group (group 4) which was not exposed to any asthma education resources, showed modest but statistically significant improvements in asthma-related knowledge. Other researchers noted similar effects, concluding that increases in baseline knowledge assessments may stimulate both experimental and control group participants to consider and seek further information about text content (Heringa et al 1987).…”

Teaching elderly patients how to use inhalers. A study to evaluate an education programme on inhaler technique, for elderly patients

“…Observation of patient teaching was intended but not carried out, due to time constraints. Other studies have either used only one instructor (Heringa et al, 1987) or fail to give details as to how uniformity of teaching was achieved (O'Bey et al, 1982).…”

“…Several studies have focused on the effects of educational programmes on people's ability to use inhalers. Heringa et al (1987) considered both knowledge and psychomotor skill of patients and concluded that a structured education programme is an effective method for improving skill of inhaler use; the study did not focus specifically on elderly people. Similar conclusions were drawn from an earlier study by O'Bey et al (1982).…”

Asthma self-management education program by home monitoring of peak expiratory flow.

“…During the past decade, understanding of asthma self-management has developed greatly, and there is a general agreement that more effective methods of educating patients are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease (9)(10)(11)(12). Asthma selfmanagement education programs share three basic premises: the physician and patient are partners in the management of asthma; the context for management is variable, with the patient, his or her situation, medical treatment, and the home environment continually changing; and management tasks performed at home must fit the family's lifestyle (13).…”