Evaluation of a generic patient education program in children with different chronic conditions

Health Educ Res. 2019 Feb 1;34(1):50-61. doi: 10.1093/her/cyy045.

Abstract

For frequent pediatric chronic conditions, especially less common chronic conditions patient education programs are missing. A recently developed modular patient education approach (ModuS) combines disease-specific modules with generic psychosocial topics. ModuS was associated with increased disease-specific knowledge and improvements in families' well-being in children with asthma. In this study we tested if new developed ModuS programs for seven, mostly less common, chronic conditions show comparable program-associated effects. ModuS education programs were offered to the affected child and its parents. Disease-specific knowledge, children's health-related quality of life, life satisfaction and condition-specific burden were measured before, directly following and 6 weeks after participation in the program. The results were compared with families who received a ModuS asthma program. One hundred and sixty-eight children participated. Families were highly satisfied with the programs. Program participation was associated with increased families' knowledge, children`s self-reported health-related quality of life and reduced condition-specific burden. The results were comparable with the results of 230 families who participated in a ModuS asthma program. The ModuS approach allowed the development of patient education programs for children with a variety of chronic conditions. Therefore, ModuS closed an important healthcare gap.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents / education*
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality of Life
  • Socioeconomic Factors