Aim: This study evaluated an innovative pediatric psychoeducation program targeting children and adolescents with asthma. These resources comprise compelling components: a visually-compelling story (for younger children), an activity book providing step-by-step strategies for asthma self-management (for older children), and an online interactive website (for adolescents), all produced by the Ontario Lung Association.

Methods: Presented findings emerge from two sequential studies. The first comprised an independent evaluation of the educational resources for younger children by key stakeholders (11 children with asthma, 11 parents, and 13 pediatric health care providers [certified asthma educators, physicians, nurses]), followed by qualitative interviews with these stakeholders. The second study comprised a mixed method design in which N=25 adolescents with asthma completed pre- and post-intervention scales, and participated in usability/navigation testing, focus groups and a website evaluation survey. Interviews and focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and content analyzed. Rigor in theme generation was demonstrated by peer debriefing, negative case analysis and triangulation via interviews with multiple stakeholders. Questionnaire data was subjected to statistical analysis. Interviews and focus groups elicited impacts and perceptions of these resources including content, utility, navigation, and perceived effectiveness. Health care provider interviews focused on content accuracy and the perceived viability of the material for use with families. Standardized instruments identified knowledge gain and self management efficacy.

Results: Findings suggest perceived utility and benefit, and significant pre/post differences in self-efficacy following online adolescent use (pre/post differences collected only among adolescents). Participants appreciated the asthma education resources although a range of perceptions was presented regarding the most effective means to convey asthma information to children/adolescents of various ages, levels of acuity, and condition trajectories. Participants consistently desired new knowledge; however learning was most amenable when presented in entertaining and interactive genres. Recommendations for future psychoeducational website development include: in-depth health related (physiological) information, games, celebrity profiles, graphics and diagrams, ongoing website updating, humor, contests and prizes, ease of navigation, and simplicity in the website name (for ease of access). Participants identified the value of these resources for children and youth with asthma. Benefits and challenges will be identified and addressed.

Implications for Practice: Given a current lack of pediatric psychoeducation and support resources, and the underdevelopment of evaluation strategies therein, this study constitutes an important contribution to the pediatric health support, education and evaluation literature. Moreover, the study contributes to future patient education and health care practice within this large pediatric population, and specifically addresses questions about potential online capacity in the delivery of psycheducation in pediatric social work.