School-based telemedicine program reduces asthma symptoms in children

The School-Based Telemedicine Enhanced Asthma Management (SB-TEAM) program was able to improve persistent asthma symptoms in children, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Led by Jill S. Halterman, MD, MPH, from the University of Rochester in New York, this study examined the impact of a telehealth program for children with persistent asthma in reducing symptoms and hospitalization.

A total of 400 children with persistent asthma aged 3 to 10 years old were included in the study where they were split into groups enrolled in the SB-TEAM program or a control group receiving enhanced conventional care.

Results showed children in the telehealth group had more symptom-free days and were less likely to visits the emergency department or become hospitalized for asthma than those in the control group. Additionally, 98 percent of the SB-TEAM group children had more than one telehealth visit and 82.5 percent received supervised therapy through their school.  

"The SB-TEAM intervention significantly improved symptoms and reduced health care utilization among urban children with persistent asthma," wrote Halterman and colleagues.  "This program could serve as a model for sustainable asthma care among school-aged children."