Asthma remains the most common chronic disease among the child population. An Australian study by researchers at the Herston Royal Children's Hospital has revealed that a good educational intervention could significantly reduce hospital visits, as well as its health cost.
This intervention would consist of a comprehensive program of care for asthmatic children and their caregivers, and the data deserve attention, since we talk about important figures. Specifically, according to the study, the risk of visits to the emergency services would be reduced by 27% and the hospitalization rate by 21%.
This teaching includes how to control respiratory flow and show caregivers the importance of making environmental changes in the home (for example, the elimination of asthma, pollen and mold triggers from outside, house dust mites, skin from cats, dogs and rodents and bird feathers ...).
It is also essential to respond quickly to the main symptoms (difficult breathing, occasional wheezing, chest tightness or coughing) before they become an asthmatic emergency.
The review included a total of 7,843 children, and it was also seen that education provided a decrease in the need for unscheduled visits with the pediatrician. The fundamental objectives are that the patient acquires greater autonomy and control of the disease, as well as greater knowledge and social acceptance of it.
Other collateral benefits would be less truancy or increased physical activity, consequently improving the quality of life of the little ones.
The teaching should be provided, above all, by the health professional, who performs a comprehensive treatment for each child and who must also be properly trained and updated to develop this function. The educational process must begin at the same time of diagnosis.
The key is, as we see, in comprehensive training to understand and treat asthmaWhat I wonder is why it is not put into practice if it has such positive results. A high economic investment? Probably, although seen in the long run the economic benefits will also be visible ...
