A COMMUNITY TRIAL OF A WRITTEN SELF-MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CHILDREN WITHASTHMA

Aims. To determine the effect of introducing an action plan to childre n with mild to moderate asthma, who have never used a plan before. Met hods Children were recruited from general practitioner records with a diagnosis of asthma, and who agreed to participate, having identified that they had not used an action plan before and that they had mild or moderate asthma based upon symptoms, acute episodes and the need for preventative medication. The families were given a plan, and its use w as explained to them by their general practitioner. A symptom diary wa s kept, and, where appropriate, peak flow measurements were recorded. A number of outcomes were measured to determine changes that could be attributed to the introduction of the plan. Results. Following the int roduction of the plan, the percentage of nights woken for asthma fell from 18.2% to 12.2% (p<0.001) and the number of days out of action fel l from 6.4 to 4.1 (p<0.001) The requirement for acute medical treatmen t also fell during the intervention period with general practitioner v isits falling from 129 to 42 (p<0.001). Most participants commented fa vourably about the usefulness of the plan in giving them a better idea of the state of their asthma at any time, and in knowing what to do a bout it. Conclusions. The children's action plan, when introduced into a group of asthmatic children was effective and acceptable in the sel f management of asthma.