26 Feb 1998. Bibliographies of studies were scanned, and 16 respiratory journals and meeting abstracts from 3 specialty societies were hand searched. Optimal self-management generally showed greater reductions and was associated with improved lung function. A written action plan was associated with fewer hospital admissions. Conclusions Patients with asthma who are given self-care management education have a lower incidence of hospitalisations, unscheduled physician visits, days off work, and nocturnal asthma.
Reductions are greater when the self-management education includes a written care plan.
A modified version of this abstract was also published in Evidence-Based Nursing . Until recently, the randomised controlled trial was the gold standard for evaluating therapeutic interventions. Now meta-analyses have gained acceptance among practicing health care providers as a method for quantitatively summarising evidence to assist in medical decision making. This systematic review helps to quantify the relative benefits of patient education and directed self-management techniques in the treatment of patients with asthma. It provides persuasive evidence of the value added by various interventions, including written action plans, for the busy asthma care provider to consider when allocating limited time and resources.