Telecommunications System in Asthma
Telecommunications System in Asthma
This project is investigating whether application of a telecommunications system to the care
 of adult patients with asthma will improve self-management by enhancing compliance with
 preventive medication regimens and fostering the use of peak-flow-based action plans.
Background/Rationale:

 Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of adults, affecting 6% of the U.S. adult
 population and accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability
 of effective therapy for asthma, morbidity and mortality have increased over the last several
 decades. Asthma specialty care, case management, and patient education are means for
 improving the quality of asthma care and patient outcomes, but cost and inconvenience limit
 the degree to which these are used in asthma care nationally. The principal aim of this study
 is to evaluate the impact of an inexpensive telephone-based home education and disease
 monitoring system on asthma medication adherence and clinical outcomes in adult patients with
 asthma.

 Objective(s):

 We hypothesize that application of TLC to the care of adult patients with asthma will improve
 self-management by enhancing compliance with preventive medication regimens and fostering the
 use of peak flow-based action plans. This, in turn, will improve asthma control, thus
 reducing acute health care utilization and improving quality of life (QOL).

 Methods:

 A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with adult asthma patients identified from
 the VA Boston Healthcare System comprised of the Boston, West Roxbury, and Brockton VA
 Medical Centers and their associated satellite clinics. Patients will be randomized to either
 the TLC-Asthma group or an attention placebo control group. Outcome measurements will include
 medication adherence, QOL, utilization of urgent care services, oral corticosteroid use.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Physician diagnosis of asthma

 -  Receiving treatment with one or more daily controller (i.e., preventive) medications

 -  Age = 18 years

 -  Less than 30 pack years of cigarette smoking

 -  FEVi greater than 50% of predicted

 -  FEVi bronchodilator response of at least 12%

 -  Ability to use a telephone without assistance

 Exclusion Criteria:

 N/A