Severe Asthma Toolkit: an online resource for multidisciplinary health professionals - needs assessment, development process and user analytics with survey feedback

Steven Maltby, Peter G. Gibson, Helen K. Reddel, Lorraine Smith, Peter A. B. Wark, Gregory G. King, John W. Upham, Vanessa L. Clark, Mark Hew, Louisa Owens, Stephen Oo, Alan L. James, Bruce Thompson, Guy B. Marks, Vanessa M. McDonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
35 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives Severe asthma imposes a significant burden on individuals, families and the healthcare system. New treatment and management approaches are emerging as effective options for severe asthma. Translating new knowledge to multidisciplinary healthcare professionals is a priority. We developed The Severe Asthma Toolkit' (https://toolkit.severeasthma.org.au) to increase awareness of severe asthma, provide evidence-based resources and support decisionmaking by healthcare providers. Setting Roundtable discussions and a survey of Australians clinicians were conducted to determine clinician preferences, format and content for a severe asthma resource. Participants A reference group from stakeholder and consumer bodies and severe asthma experts provided advice and feedback. A multidisciplinary team of international experts was engaged to develop content. Written content was based on up-to-date literature. Peer and editorial review were performed to finalise content and inform web design. Website design focused on user experience, navigation, engagement, interactivity and tailoring of content for a clinical audience. Results A web-based resource was developed. Roundtable discussions and a needs assessment survey identified the need for dedicated severe asthma management resources to support skills training. The end-product, which launched 26 March 2018, includes an overview of severe asthma, diagnosis and assessment, management, medications, comorbidities, living with severe asthma, establishing a clinic, paediatrics/adolescents and clinical resources. Analytics indicate access by users worldwide (32 169 users from 169 countries). User survey results (n=394) confirm access by the target audience (72% health professionals), who agreed the toolkit increased their knowledge (73%) and confidence in managing severe asthma (66%), and 75% are likely to use the resource in clinic. Conclusions The Severe Asthma Toolkit is a unique, evidence-based internet resource to support healthcare professionals providing optimal care for people with severe asthma. It is a comprehensive, accessible and independent resource developed by leading severe asthma experts to improve clinician knowledge and skills in severe asthma management.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere032877
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalBMJ Open
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Mar 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • asthma
  • clinical resource
  • education

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