Table 2 Matrix mapping of elements to the 14 RCT interventions and their outcomes
Summary of RCT intervention | Education for professionals | Education for patients/carers | Partnership working | Communication | Number of elements (strong /weak) | Effect of intervention on asthma action plan outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Intervention resulted in increased asthma action plan (AAP) promotion (for example, more patients with these plans) and use | ||||||
One-off post-hospital discharge telephone consultation by an asthma nurse. Consultation informed by empowerment theory [13] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion & ↑ use |
Intervention resulted in increased AAP use only | ||||||
Structured community centre asthma education promoting behavioural change with follow-up reinforcement at 6 months [20] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ use |
Internet-based asthma management tool for patients and physicians included decision support system [21] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ use |
Intervention resulted in increased AAP promotion only | ||||||
Interactive educational seminar for doctors - based on theory of self-regulation - encouraging behavioural change in consultations [22] | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ | 4 (4/0) | ↑ promotion |
Proactive, system of care (3+ asthma management plan) included invite for asthma review and education over four practice visits [9] | ++ | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (3/1) | ↑ promotion |
Monthly telephone reinforcement for 1 year by a non-healthcare worker [23] | + | ++ | ++ | ++ | 4 (3/1) | ↑ promotion |
Pre-discharge patient-centred asthma education by a specialist asthma nurse [24] | + | ++ | ++ | ++ | 4 (3/1) | ↑ promotion |
Asthma education (for example, self-management skills) in a community centre by a nurse and non healthcare community workers [25] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
General practice asthma clinic (included education on asthma management) provided by a nurse and doctor [26] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
Education (over at least two sessions) by a specialist asthma nurse prior to hospital discharge [27] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
One-off small group education session encouraging self-management [28] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
Postal prompts inviting patients for asthma review with intervention groups receiving a partially completed or blank AAP [12] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
Weekly school-based asthma clinic by a school nurse. Clinic targeted to needs of adolescents [29] | + | ++ | + | ++ | 4 (2/2) | ↑ promotion |
Intervention reported no effect on AAP promotion or use | ||||||
Primary care team quality improvement initiative which included staff coaching and learning [11] | + | + | + | + | 4 (0/4) | No effect |
Stage 1 elements: Strong presence | 2 | 13 | 3 | 13 |  |  |
 Weak presence | 12 | 1 | 11 | 1 |  |  |
 No presence | - | - | - | - |  |  |
 Total | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |  |  |