The effectiveness of clinical pharmacist's intervention in improving asthma care in children and adolescents: Randomized controlled study in Jordan. Issue 4 (April 2017) - Almomani, Basima A.
Highlights: Clinical pharmacist's intervention can improve asthma care in children. Education of patients and their caregivers should be part of routine assessment during clinic visit. Collaboration between physician and pharmacist should be encouraged. Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical pharmacist's intervention on achieving better asthma control, quality of life and other clinical parameters. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study in north Jordan was conducted. Pediatric patients with asthma (aged 7–18 years old) were included and randomly allocated into two groups, intervention and control. Both groups were interviewed at the first visit and followed up twice by phone (at 3 and 6 months). Education was provided to patients and their caregivers in the intervention group only. Results: Of 206 eligible patients recruited and randomized to our study, 178 patients completed the study (48.3% intervention versus 51.7% control). There were no significant differences in all baseline data between both groups. We identified significant differences in the improvement of asthma control (p < 0.001) and consequently pediatric and caregiver quality of life (p < 0.001) between both groups at the end of study. Significant differences were also detected in other clinical parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of clinical pharmacy service can positively influence asthma control, pediatric and caregiver's quality of life, and other clinical parameters. Practice implications: To maintain a good asthma status, education of pediatric patients and their caregivers should be part of routine assessment during clinic visit.