R. Shegog et al., Impact of a computer-assisted education program on factors related to asthma self-management behavior, J AM MED IN, 8(1), 2001, pp. 49-61
Citations number
52
Categorie Soggetti
Library & Information Science","General & Internal Medicine
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION
Objective: To evaluate Watch, Discover, Think and Act (WDTA), a theory-base
d application of CD-ROM educational technology for pediatric asthma self-ma
nagement education.
Design: A prospective pretest posttest randomized intervention trial was us
ed to assess the motivational appeal of the computer-assisted instructional
program and evaluate the impact of the program in eliciting change in know
ledge, self-efficacy, and attributions of children with asthma. Subjects we
re recruited from large urban asthma clinics, community clinics, and school
s. Seventy-six children 9 to 13 years old were recruited for the evaluation
.
Results: Repeated-measures analysis of covariance showed that knowledge sco
res increased significantly for both groups, but no between-group differenc
es were found (P = 0.55); children using the program scored significantly h
igher (P < 0.01) on questions about steps of self-regulation, prevention st
rategies, and treatment strategies. These children also demonstrated greate
r self-efficacy (P < 0.05) and more efficacy building attribution classific
ation of asthma self-management behaviors (P < 0.05) than those children wh
o did not use the program.
Conclusion: The WDTA is an intrinsically motivating educational program tha
t has the ability to effect determinants of asthma self-management behavior
in 9- to 13-year-old children with asthma. This, coupled with its reported
effectiveness in enhancing patient outcomes in clinical settings, indicate
s that this program has application in pediatric asthma education.