Effectiveness of technology in increasing asthma management knowledge and self-confidence in school staff

Abstract

Background: Education is key to asthma management. New technologies offer potential opportunities to provide accessible, practical global platforms for asthma first aid management training.

Aims: To determine the effectiveness of technology assisted learning in increasing asthma knowledge and confidence using an Asthma First Aid Management iBook for school staff.

Methods: Within schools in Sydney, staff were randomly assigned to receive asthma management training by iBook (group A) or face-to-face training (group B). Each participant completed a validated Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire and an asthma management self-confidence questionnaire pre and post training. We compared these knowledge and confidence scores within and between groups.

Results: Fifty of 76 (66%) participants in group A and 61 of 72 (85%) in group B completed the training. The mean asthma knowledge score post training increased by 1.98 (95% CI = 1.13-2.82 p < 0.0001) points in group A and 2.60 points (p<0.001, 95% CI = 1.94-3.32) in Group B. Similarly, the confidence score in managing an asthma flare -up increased by a mean of 2.24 points (95% CI 1.74-2.75) in group A and 2.39 points (95% CI 2.04-2.75 p=< 0.0001) in group B. There were no significant differences in the score changes for knowledge and confidence between both groups (for knowledge F statistics=0.01, p=0.93; for confidence F statistics=0.57, p=0.45).

Conclusion: Both iBook and face-to-face training increased the knowledge and confidence of asthma first aid management in school staff. In settings where health resources are limited technology assisted learning may be substituted to provide training on asthma first aid management.