Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of computerized patient education about childhood asthma in Japan and to explore the effective intervention model and strategy.
Methods: I conducted a literature search of seven databases using the following key words: childhood, asthma, patient education, and computer. Of the 493 records that had been extracted, I identified 16 that met all the criteria, and these were included in the review.
Results: This review suggested that computerized patient education for childhood asthma is useful, because reports showed a significant increase in asthma knowledge and asthma self-efficacy, with improvement of asthma symptoms. Asthma symptoms were predominantly evaluated as measurements of the success of intervention, but psychosocial variable were seldom evaluated in comparison with asthma symptom. The most frequently applied intervention model was social cognitive theory.
Conclusion: This literature review suggested that computerized patient education is helpful for childhood asthma patients and their parents and educational intervention based on social cognitive theory is effective. For the future of patient education about childhood asthma in Japan, further application of information and communication technology to patient education.
