Peak flow monitoring using digital technology to improve patient self-management and asthma control in primary care: a pilot
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Peak flow monitoring using digital technology to improve patient self-management and asthma control in primary care: a pilot

Sara-Louise Natasha Smith Lead practice nurse, GP surgery, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England
Hiedi Swift Respiratory nurse specialist/community clinic lead, Bull Farm Primary Care Centre, Mansfield, England
Sarah Tweddle Respiratory nurse specialist, Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre, Kirkby in Ashfield, England
Sarah Coupe Practice nurse, GP surgery, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To refresh your knowledge of the main symptoms of asthma, such as shortness of breath, wheeze and chest tightness

  • To understand why a self-management plan should be offered to all patients with asthma

  • To appreciate the benefits of identifying exacerbations of asthma and enabling early interventions

Asthma is one of the two most common chronic respiratory diseases diagnosed and treated in primary care and is the cause of most hospital admissions for chronic respiratory illness. The authors set up a pilot service review which used a digital platform to enable nurses to review participants’ peak flow entries and make therapeutic adjustments to treatment without the need for a face-to-face appointment. It also enabled the nurses to react quickly to any changes in patients’ peak flow readings or concerns. The objective of this pilot was to demonstrate how digital health technologies in primary care can enhance patient outcomes by improving their understanding of their condition, so that they can recognise early warning signs of exacerbations. By enhancing self-management, it was hoped that there would be a reduction in primary care contact and acute hospital interventions.

Primary Health Care. doi: 10.7748/phc.2024.e1833

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

sara-louise.smith@nhs.net

Conflict of interest

None declared

Smith S-LN, Swift H, Tweddle S et al (2024) Peak flow monitoring using digital technology to improve patient self-management and asthma control in primary care: a pilot. Primary Health Care. doi: 10.7748/phc.2024.e1833

Published online: 10 July 2024

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more