CAREGIVER QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT SELF-EFFICACY IN A TECHNOLOGY-BASED ASTHMA MEDICATION MONITORING CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction Asthma is a problem of epidemic proportions in Chicago with childhood prevalence and mortality rates above the national average. In an effort to improve asthma outcomes, children diagnosed with moderate to severe asthma were recruited from Chicago clinics to participate in a technology-based medication monitoring platform. Caregivers were surveyed to assess asthma-related psychosocial outcomes. Methods Intake surveys were completed by caregivers of 260 children aged 4-17 with moderate to severe asthma to assess caregiver quality of life (PACQLQ) and asthma-management self-efficacy (PAMSES). Mean scores from PACQLQ and PAMSES scales were analyzed by t-tests for differences among caregiver race, ethnicity, insurance, and clinic-setting. Results Overall mean PACQLQ scores were significantly higher in caregivers with private insurance (Public = 5.5[5.3-5.8]; Private = 6.2[6.0-6.3]; p Conclusions These data suggest that although asthma-related quality of life was more impaired in minority populations, those with public insurance, and those seeking care at a public clinic, asthma self-efficacy was higher in these groups. This indicates a possible disconnect between asthma-related quality of life and caregiver-perceived self-efficacy. As the study progresses, the intervention's effect on this disconnect will be an interesting dynamic.