Investigating the Impact of Telemedicine on Pediatric Asthma Care

Pasale Rogulj^*
*Correspondence: Pasale Rogulj, Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy, Email:

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting children globally, with millions of children diagnosed each year. This condition places a considerable burden not only on the children who experience it but also on healthcare systems due to its management needs. Effective asthma management is critical to prevent exacerbations, improve lung function, and enhance the overall quality of life for children with asthma. Management typically involves regular monitoring, medication adherence, and timely interventions to address acute exacerbations. However, despite the availability of established asthma management guidelines, many children, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, face significant challenges accessing appropriate asthma care. Factors such as long travel distances, lack of local specialists, and limited healthcare infrastructure make it difficult for families to manage asthma effectively.

Telemedicine, which refers to the delivery of healthcare services through telecommunication technology, has emerged as a potential solution to overcome these access barriers. By enabling healthcare professionals to consult with patients remotely, telemedicine offers a more accessible and convenient way to deliver care. It is particularly promising in managing chronic conditions like asthma, where consistent monitoring and regular follow-ups are essential for preventing severe exacerbations and improving long-term outcomes. While there is growing interest in the application of telemedicine in asthma care, particularly in pediatric populations, there remains a lack of robust evidence regarding its effectiveness and feasibility when compared to traditional, in-person care [1].

Description

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to explore the efficacy of telemedicine in pediatric asthma management, comparing its outcomes to standard in-person care. By focusing on key clinical outcomes such as asthma control, medication adherence, healthcare utilization, and quality of life, this study seeks to provide comprehensive evidence on whether telemedicine can serve as a viable alternative to traditional asthma management for children. Additionally, the study will explore the feasibility of implementing telemedicine in pediatric asthma care settings, examining the practical aspects of telemedicine, including patient engagement and healthcare provider experiences. To assess the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing pediatric asthma, a comprehensive set of outcome measures were evaluated at multiple time points throughout the study period. These assessments aimed to measure various aspects of asthma management, from clinical control of the disease to healthcare utilization and quality of life, providing a holistic view of the impact of telemedicine on pediatric asthma care [2].

The primary outcome measure for the study was asthma control, which was assessed using established and validated instruments, including the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). These tools are widely used in clinical practice to evaluate the degree of asthma control in children and have been shown to provide reliable, reproducible results. By using these instruments, the study aimed to determine whether telemedicine-based asthma management could maintain or improve asthma control compared to the standard in-person care approach.

Secondary outcome measures included healthcare utilization, which was tracked through data on Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and unscheduled healthcare encounters related to asthma exacerbations. One of the key benefits of effective asthma management is the reduction in acute care visits, and this metric is critical in assessing whether telemedicine can reduce the need for emergency interventions by providing timely remote care. Additionally, medication adherence was measured using self-reported adherence surveys, pharmacy refill data, or electronic monitoring devices. Non-adherence to prescribed medication is a common issue in asthma management and is associated with increased exacerbations and poor long-term outcomes. Thus, examining medication adherence is an important component of evaluating the overall success of telemedicine interventions in maintaining asthma control. Quality of life was another important outcome of the study and was assessed using disease-specific questionnaires such as the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). This tool evaluates how asthma impacts a child's day-to-day activities, including physical functioning, emotional well-being, and the frequency of asthma symptoms. Given that asthma often affects the quality of life for children and their families, it is essential to assess whether telemedicine can help improve or maintain a child’s overall well-being.

To analyze the data and draw meaningful conclusions, appropriate statistical methods were employed. Comparative analyses between the telemedicine and standard care groups were conducted using inferential statistics, such as t-tests and chi-square tests, as well as regression models to account for potential confounding factors. These analyses helped ensure that any differences observed in asthma control or other outcomes could be attributed to the type of intervention (telemedicine or standard care) rather than pre-existing group differences. Additionally, non-inferiority or equivalence testing was performed to determine if telemedicine was as effective as traditional in-person care in achieving clinically significant asthma control outcomes. This type of testing is particularly useful when the goal is to demonstrate that a new intervention, such as telemedicine, does not perform worse than an established standard of care.

Subgroup analyses were also conducted to explore how different variables, such as age or the severity of asthma, might influence treatment outcomes. These analyses can provide valuable insights into which groups of pediatric patients might benefit most from telemedicine interventions and identify potential moderators of the exercise-cognition relationship. For example, children with more severe asthma may require more frequent monitoring and tailored interventions, making telemedicine an attractive option for ensuring consistent follow-up. On the other hand, children with mild asthma may experience fewer exacerbations, and the added convenience of telemedicine may be the primary benefit for them.

Overall, this randomized controlled trial was designed to address critical gaps in the current literature regarding the use of telemedicine in pediatric asthma care. The results of this study are intended to inform clinical practice guidelines and provide evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of telemedicine as an alternative to traditional in-person asthma management for children. If successful, telemedicine could become a cornerstone of pediatric asthma care, particularly in areas where access to healthcare services is limited.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings from this randomized controlled trial suggest that telemedicine is a feasible and effective alternative to standard in-person care for managing pediatric asthma. The study’s results indicated that telemedicine-based interventions were non-inferior to traditional care in terms of achieving and maintaining asthma control, with comparable healthcare utilization rates and medication adherence levels. These findings support the use of telemedicine as a promising modality for delivering asthma care to children, particularly for those who face significant barriers in accessing conventional healthcare services. Telemedicine has the potential to transform pediatric asthma care, making it more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective. By continuing to explore the effectiveness of telemedicine in pediatric asthma management, future research can help optimize asthma care for children across diverse settings and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

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