Effect of continuity of care combined with family empowerment on the treatment of childhood asthma

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of continuity of care combined with family empowerment in managing childhood asthma and provide a reference for optimizing long-term pediatric asthma management. A total of 120 children with asthma treated in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were enrolled and divided into an observation group and a control group (60 cases each). The control group received routine drug therapy and basic health education. The observation group additionally received continuity of care combined with family empowerment, including establishing health records, regular telephone and home follow-ups, individualized guidance on medication and lifestyle, asthma health education, and parent empowerment training. The 2 groups were compared in terms of medication adherence, asthma control, acute attacks, emergency visits, readmission rate, quality of life (pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire), parental empowerment (family empowerment scale), and nursing satisfaction. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups (P > .05). After intervention, the observation group showed significantly better medication adherence than the control group (regular medication 88.3% vs 68.3%, correct inhaler use 83.3% vs 63.3%, no missed or reduced doses 86.7% vs 65.0%; all P < .05). The complete asthma control rate was higher (56.7% vs 33.3%; P = .015), while the 6-month frequency of acute attacks (1.2 ± 0.9 vs 2.0 ± 1.1), emergency visits (13.3% vs 30.0%), and readmissions (8.3% vs 25.0%) were lower (all P < .05). The pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire scores improved more in the observation group across all dimensions (t = 6.32-7.44; P < .001), and family empowerment scale scores for family management, communication, and self-efficacy were also significantly higher (t = 6.02-9.42; P < .001). Nursing satisfaction was greater in the observation group (93.3% vs 75.0%; P = .015). Continuity of care combined with family empowerment significantly enhances medication adherence and asthma control, reduces exacerbations and readmissions, improves children's quality of life, and strengthens parents' management ability and self-efficacy. This integrated model is valuable for the long-term management of childhood asthma.