Best Practice Recommendations For Asthma Management In School-Age Children To Prevent School Absenteeism

Abstract

This paper explores the most current research on asthma management in school-age children. The purpose is to create evidence-based recommendations suitable to implement at schools to promote health and prevent school absenteeism. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases that affects about 10% of the pediatric population, especially those who are from low socioeconomic back grounds, and racial/ethnic minorities (Gleason, Cicutto, Haas-Howard, Raleigh, & Szefler, 2016; Rodriguez et al., 2013). This population often lacks asthma self-management skills to prevent or decrease asthma attacks, and maintain adequate health and well-being. As a result, children with asthma present with more sick days due to illness, increased emergency visits due to uncontrolled asthma, and could present with socioeconomic burden to caregivers (Gleason et al., 2016; Rodriguez et al., 2013). To prevent asthma exacerbation, school nurses or asthma counselors have an important role in the coordination of care, communication, and education to children, families, school staff, and clinicians (Gleason et al., 2016; Liptzin et al., 2016). This paper not only identifies best practice recommendations, but also proposes a plan for implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed implementation plan.