The value of asthma camps for young people in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Although there were limitations to sustaining knowledge gained in the asthma camping program, the camping experience provided a benefit for children in terms of promoting their mental and social wellbeing. When readers consider modernising asthma education (e.g. shorter camps, education in everyday social settings such as schools), they need to consider retaining the key ingredients of the more traditional camping program that supports good asthma management, wellbeing and social participation.

The Effects of Camp on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Chronic Illnesses: A Review of the Literature

“…No attempt was made to locate unpublished material or contact researchers for unpublished studies. A total of 18 studies met the criteria to be included in the review (Blau et al, 2002;Bluebond-Langner, Perkel, & Goertzel, 1991;Bluebond-Langner, Perkel, Goertzel, Nelson, & McGeary, 1990;Briery & Rabian, 1999;Kaplan, McKey, Toraya, & Moccia, 1992;Lord, Leger, Ridge, & Elisha, 2001;Meng, Tiernan, Bernier, & Brooks, 1998;Milliet, Carman, & Browne, 1996;Misuraca, Gennaro, Lioniello, Duval, & Aloi, 1996;Moffatt & Pless, 1983;Rew, 1987;Rubin & Geiger, 1991;Sawin et al, 2001;Semiz, Ozarslan, Bundak, & Bircan, 2000;Smith, Gotlieb, Gurwitch, & Blotcky, 1987;Smith, Schreiner, Brouhard, & Travis, 1991;Smith, Schreiner, Jackson, & Travis, 1993;Zimmerman et al, 1987).…”

Evaluating Group Work within a Summer Camp Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Asthma

“…As early as 1981, more than 50 community-sponsored camp-type programs across the United States for children with asthma were reported (Blessing-Moore, Fritz, Lewiston, 1985). Recent asthma education literature has introduced the notion of the residential camp as a tool for the transmission of knowledge and self-care for children and adolescents (Alaniz & Nordstrand, 1999;Buckner et al, 2005;Fisher et al, 1994;Kelly et al, 1998;Lord, Ridge, St. Leger, & Elisha, 2001). Using group work principles, collectives and groups of children with asthma have been facilitated and have been integrated in camp settings.…”

Development and validation of an asthma knowledge test for children 8-10 years of age

“…2006). A prerequisite for reducing the physical, psychological and social impact of the disease is that children with asthma have a sound knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease, common symptoms and triggers and know the appropriate steps to take in managing their asthma (Lord et al . 2001; Haver & Stieb 2006).…”

“…The value of education programmes for children with asthma is well documented, with evidence that children with asthma attending these programmes report a significant decline in reported symptoms, are better able to self-manage their illness, have less days of missed school, require fewer urgent health care visits and have higher self-efficacy and quality of life (Guevara et al 2003;Butz et al 2005b;Cicutto et al 2005;Runge et al 2006). A prerequisite for reducing the physical, psychological and social impact of the disease is that children with asthma have a sound knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease, Child: care, health and development Original Article doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2010.01133.x common symptoms and triggers and know the appropriate steps to take in managing their asthma (Lord et al 2001;Haver & Stieb 2006). Extending asthma education to include healthy children is also important.…”