Can a Short Video Improve Inhaler Use in Urban Youth?

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to determine whether watching a short video in the inpatient setting could produce an immediate improvement in pediatric patients' asthma knowledge and inhaler technique. METHODS: This prospective, quasi-experimental, pre-post study was conducted in a single center, in Detroit, Michigan, which primarily serves an urban, African-American population. Patients were eligible if they were between 8- and 16-years-old, had asthma, and would be discharged with an albuterol metered-dose inhaler. The primary outcome was improvement in the composite score of a knowledge and technique assessment before and after watching a 5-minute video. The lead author developed the video with content validation by pharmacists, pediatricians, elementary school teachers, and a pediatric health education specialist. Secondary outcomes at 30 days included change in asthma control and whether the video was revisited after discharge. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled. Their average age was 11 ± 2.1 years; they were primarily African American (83%), female (53%), and insured by Medicaid (87%). The composite score of technique assessment and written quiz increased by 3.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.81 to 4.85) of a possible 16 points after watching the video. There was no significant change in asthma control at 30 days as measured by the asthma control test (2, 95% CI -0.53 to 4.53). Eight of 22 patients revisited the video after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A brief educational video delivered during a pediatric inpatient visit in an urban medical center resulted in an immediate improvement in patients' disease knowledge and inhaler technique.