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A Partnership in Treating Childhood Asthma
taught assertive communication skills to avoid power battles with children when implementing asthma treatment decisions (Meng & McConnell, 2002). Such skills can be acquired and re-enforced at support groups or asthma camps. Parents who attended an asthma program acquired positive attitudes with respect to their children’s asthma and their ability to manage the disorder. An additional benefit of attending groups or camps is a reduction of the child and family’s feelings of isolation through contact with other families involved in the program (McNelis et al., 2000).
Ideally, at the conclusion of the child parent teaching, the parents should also be reminded of upcoming appointments. When an asthmatic child’s condition is liable, it is best to maintain regular telephone contact with the family, for this demonstrates concern about the patient and reinforces the importance the nurse attaches to the prescribed therapy (“Strategies”, 2002).
Evaluations
Periodic assessment of the family and child should be conducted to enable the nurse to observe changes over time (McNelis et al., 2000). The NHLBI guidelines recommend a regular follow-up visit at one to six month intervals, with modification of the management plan as needed (Gallagher, 2002).
The reason families fail to adhere to medical treatments are as numerous and varied as the families themselves. In most cases there are complex sociological and psychological factors, which influence the family’s behavior. Therefore, in order to best serve patients with asthma, it is appropriate for the nurses to learn more about the families. Routine assessments of family health and cultural beliefs, knowledge of asthma, beliefs regarding self-care, and the family’s financial ability to purchase medications can be important strategies in enhancing adherence (“Strategies”, 2002).
Children’s perceptions are important because they are linked to behaviors, including health behavior and management of the asthma condition. Interventions may be needed that enhance children’s positive coping behaviors, enhance positive attitudes, and increase satisfaction with family relationships. Interventions that address concerns and fears about having asthma might also help them develop more positive attitudes. Nurses might need to preferentially target girls who have severe asthma for participation in programs to specifically enhance self-concept, such as support groups and counseling. Additional strategies for enhancing positive attitudes might include providing role models, such as famous athletes or people who excelled in their pursuits despite an asthma condition (McNelis et al., 2000).
In a study conducted by Rydstrom, Englund, and Sandman, children described feelings such as guilt when they said that they felt responsible with other people had to give up certain things (i.e., pets, hobbies), and that their disease meant extra work for people in their surroundings. Medications were also very important to the children in this study. Medications can offer help to give children with asthma normal lives. The study results seem to indicate that children with asthma, to a greater extent than healthy children, reflect more on what living a normal life really means, as they do not have the possibility to live normal lives. It is perhaps true that what seems quite natural to healthy children becomes a goal for [next page]