Impact of Smartphone-Based Video Monitoring with Pharmacist-Led Education to Enhance Inhaler Use and Asthma Control: A Randomised Controlled Study
Abstract
Objective: This randomised controlled trial compared the effects of smartphone-based video follow-up combined with pharmacist-led education relative to standard care on clinical outcomes in patients with asthma.
Material and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted at a hospital in Southern Thailand. Patients with asthma were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=60), which received pharmacist education and follow-up via a smartphone video application, or a control group (n=57), which received standard asthma care. Outcome measures included asthma control, inhaler technique, asthma knowledge, medication adherence, and quality of life.
Results: The intervention group had significantly more patients with well-controlled asthma than the control group (48.3% vs. 17.5%; p-value<0.001). The intervention group also demonstrated significantly better scores in inhaler technique (mean±standard deviation (S.D.)=93.15±10.04 vs. mean=87.91±12.29; p-value=0.013), asthma knowledge (p-value=0.003), medication adherence (p-value<0.001), and quality of life (p-value=0.019) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that smartphone-based video monitoring of inhaler technique, combined with pharmacist-led education, is an effective strategy for asthma care.
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