Transcript Asthma education for all

Asthma education for all:
Increasing community awareness through educational
workshops for children and adults
Betty Perez-Rivera, EdD, CHES
Program Director
Childhood Asthma Initiative
Children’s Health Fund, New York City
A Community Pediatrics Program of
The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
APHA Annual Meeting
Boston, MA
November 4-8, 2006
Health Disparities:
Issues Identified while working with patients/families
with asthma in South Bronx Population
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Little or No Access to health care
Lack of understanding about rights as a patient
Language barriers
Low literacy levels
Misconceptions about the definition/implication of asthma as a
chronic illness
Additional issues: Co-morbidities, housing issues, domestic
violence, mental health, and lack of continuous care due to
constant changes in primary care provider, among others.
Educational Components
Children’s Programming
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Asthma C.R.E.W. - Two (90-minute) interactive sessions compose one
workshop - to teach children about asthma.
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Music/Asthma Programs – teaching children good breathing
exercises while learning how to play an instrument and providing
information about asthma. (Usually for asthmatic children)
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One-Hour Sessions – for undergraduate and graduate school
students in the field of health education
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Professional Training – workshops to train health care and child care
workers about asthma so that they can continue to train others to
increase awareness.
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Literacy Curriculum Expansion - in the elementary schools
Science Curriculum Expansion - in middle schools/high schools
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Educational Components
Adult Programming
Adult Forums – targeting parents, teachers, health care administrators,
members of the community
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Full 90-minute workshops
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Characteristics of asthma and anatomy of the lung
Asthma symptoms and triggers
Medications – controllers and relievers
Mini-workshops
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Demonstration and discussion about Household products –
detergents/daily use products will be discussed. There will be
demonstrations of healthy alternatives.
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Demonstration of peak flow meters – discussion of what they, how they
are used, and the way to read results for better use with the asthma
action plan.
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Demonstration and discussion – asthma triggers. Common household
triggers will be highlighted. Tips for reduction of exposure and health
solutions will be discussed.
Curriculum Model
Teacher
Training
BEFORE project survey
for students
AFTER project survey
for students
Student
Introduction
to Asthma
Student
Presentations
Asthma
Education added
to academic
curriculum
Group
Instruction
Parents and School Personnel are invited
to attend the presentations and to participate in group
instruction. Parent Asthma Guides are provided.
Literacy Curriculum Expansion Format ------(1)
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Teacher Training Session
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Survey to determine what the student knows about asthma
BEFORE participating in the project.
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Student Introduction to Asthma
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Distribution of Asthma Books and resource information
Books are distributed for the students to keep free of charge
Forming groups, assigning the topic for research, and giving
instructions for the project
Encourage students to use creative expressions – poetry,
interviews, posters, literature search, role play, description of
personal experiences with asthma, paintings, etc.
Literacy Curriculum Expansion Format------(2)
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Asthma information and education is incorporated into various
aspects of the curriculum during a two week period.
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Reading out loud from books about asthma
Turning questions about asthma in mathematical word problems
Role play and literature searches and discussion
Research in books and on the internet
Discussion about the anatomy of the lung and changes occurring in
asthmatics, etc.
Students complete the AFTER Survey to determine what they have
learned.
Students present their findings in a “Publishing Party” presentation.
CAI Instructor provides an group instruction.
Educational Components
Professional Education
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Train the Trainer Workshops
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Health Education Undergraduate and Graduate Student Workshops
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Understanding popular theories of health
Communication and Presentation Skills
Asthma 101
Discussion of ways to deliver information and create programs that work for both
children and adults
General Information about asthma
Issues in health literacy (ways to understand and deliver the message)
Dealing with specialized populations
Informing the patient and their families about the impact of asthma as a chronic
illness
Seminars and Special Forums
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Discussions of asthma as a growing problem for underserved populations
Clinical Issues
Community Education
Environmental Issues
Advocacy
Peer Education
(special asthma presentations)
Group Instruction-Post Presentations
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Instruction used:
 To dispel myths.
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To provide corrections to
inaccurate information.
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To provide additional information
about asthma characteristics,
symptoms, triggers, and
medications.
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To encourage incorporating the
learning strategies to other
subjects.
Linking Asthma Education to
Primary Care By:
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Facilitating completion of medication forms for
school nurses to be able to administer asthma
medications/children to carry asthma medications
during school hours.
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Referring parents to clinic for treatment and followup.
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Stressing the importance of keeping appointments
and communicating with the doctor.
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Increasing communication between children,
parents, school administrators and teachers to
better manage and control asthma.
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Using the “Family Asthma Guide” as an
educational tool both in workshops and in the
clinical setting.
Asthma Guide in English and Spanish
Can be downloaded from website:
www.childrenshealthfund.org
Cultural sensitivity, literacy levels, and visual impact are all considered
in the development of the guide.
Important Considerations for each
presentation
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Make sure the presentations are clear
Use simple vocabulary to increase understanding
Explain thoroughly
Make it as interactive as possible
Use graphics and life examples that they can relate to
Be sensitive of cultural beliefs and culture
Encourage participation by asking questions
Leave time for questions and answers
Provide them with additional resource information when
possible.
Do not answer medical questions unless you have the
qualifications to do so. Refer them to their medical providers.
Contact Information
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To receive a hard copy of the asthma guide or to learn
more about our program, contact:
Dr. Betty Perez-Rivera
Program Director, Childhood Asthma Initiative
Telephone: 212 535-9779 ext. 289
Fax: 212 812-5272
Email: [email protected]