The Clinical Outcomes of Asthma Self-Management Education during Acute Asthma Exacerbations at the Asthma Clinic of Mukdahan Hospital

Abstract

Currently, in Thailand, 11.8% require emergency treatment, and 9.8% of asthma patients experience acute exacerbations that require hospitalization. Therefore, the researcher had developed a self-management education concept for asthma exacerbations based on three main components, 1) providing knowledge to asthma patients, 2) enabling patients to assess and monitor their disease status, and 3) providing a written action plan. Method: This study aimed to 1) evaluate the clinical outcomes of providing self-care education during acute asthma exacerbations in patients with asthma, 2) To improve patients’ adherence to medication regimens, and 3) To investigate problems related to patients’ medication use. The quasi-experimental study employed purposive sampling to select 159 asthma patients who received treatment at the asthma clinic over a period of six month from September 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025. Results: The pharmacist provided education on self-care management for acute asthma exacerbations significantly reduced the percentage of patients with well-controlled asthma increased (p < 0.05). The number of patients requiring emergency treatment (p < 0.05) and those requiring hospitalization (p < 0.05), and pulmonary function, as measured by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), also improved significantly (p < 0.05). Additionally, medication adherence scores significantly increased (p < 0.05), and medication-related problems decreased by 35.8%. Conclusion: Providing education on self-management for acute asthma exacerbations leads to improved clinical outcomes, including better asthma control, fewer exacerbations requiring emergency treatment or hospitalization, and enhanced lung function in patients.