Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jun 28, 2019
Date Accepted: Apr 10, 2020
Date Submitted to PubMed: May 22, 2020
Improving pediatric asthma care management through mobile health technology: Insights from patients and parents
ABSTRACT
Background:
Asthma is a common pediatric chronic disease and can negatively impact children and families. Self-management strategies are challenging to adopt but critical to achieving positive outcomes. Mobile health technology may facilitate pediatric asthma self-management, especially as adolescents mature and assume responsibility for their disease.
Objective:
This study sought to explore youth with high-risk asthma and their caregivers perceptions on the use of a smartphone application in the prevention and treatment of asthma symptoms and possible use to improve asthma self-management outside of traditional clinical settings.
Methods:
Key informant interviews were completed with parent-child dyads post-participation in an asthma management feasibility intervention study to explore perceptions of a smartphone application designed to monitor symptoms and medication use and offer synchronous and asynchronous provider encounters. A thematic qualitative analysis based on the Self-Determination Theory was conducted, identifying four major themes.
Results:
Nineteen parent-child dyads completed the post-intervention interviews. Major themes identified included autonomy, competence, relatedness, and asthma’s impact on life. Participants also shared perceptions on the benefits and challenges associated with using the app and in self-management of asthma .
Conclusions:
Our study included strong support for the application and demonstrated feasibility of enhancing youth self-management of asthma in the community. Both children and parents conveyed a preference for using technology to facilitate medication and disease management and children demonstrated a strong willingness and ability to actively engage in their care. Participant feedback led to intervention refinement and app improvements and the use of the Self-Determination Theory allowed insight into motivational drivers of behavioral change. The use of mobile applications among high-risk children with asthma and their parents shows promise in improvement self-management, medication adherence, disease awareness, and in reducing overall disease morbidity. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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