Date of Award

4-25-2019

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Julie A. Koch

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting 20.4 million adults in the United States (CDC, 2018). While asthma can generally be controlled, patients having an exacerbation may experience missed days of work and school, limitations in daily activities, decreased enjoyment of life, and decreased productivity at home, work, and school (MarcanoBelisario et al., 2013). Therefore, the purpose of this project was to improve patients’ overall asthma control and asthma-related quality of life by encouraging self-management through patient education and the implementation of a mobile smartphone application. A total of 26 adult primary care patients with asthma participated in a focused asthma intervention: (a) a 30-minute one-on-one asthma education session utilizing a patient education guide and (b) the use of a mobile application for asthma management. Patients downloaded a free smartphone application, AsthmaMD®, and utilized the symptom tracker, medication reminders, and digital asthma action plan. The primary outcomes of the project included asthma control (ACT), asthma-related quality of life (AIS-6), and asthma literacy. Patients completed the ACT, AIS-6, and Asthma Literacy Questionnaire at their initial visit and again at four and eight weeks after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA, and post-hoc analysis was conducted using protected t-tests. Upon completion of statistical analysis, a significant effect was found in both the ACT (F (2, 44) = 43.08, p < .001) and AIS-6 (F (2, 44) = 51.621, p < .001), demonstrating a significant improvement in test scores from initial evaluation to 4-week follow-up, from 4-week follow-up to 8-week follow-up and from initial evaluation to 8-week follow-up. Analysis of the Asthma Literacy Questionnaire showed an increase in knowledge that was statistically significant in all areas of asthma education. Additionally, results suggested that all participants felt the mobile application was helpful for tracking asthma symptoms. Results of this evidence-based practice project can be used to help providers improve asthma self-management by promoting education, written or digital action plans, and the use of a mobile application for symptom tracking and medication reminders.

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