Asthma Management in the Era of Smart-Medicine: Devices, Gadgets, Apps and Telemedicine

Indian J Pediatr. 2018 Sep;85(9):757-762. doi: 10.1007/s12098-018-2611-6. Epub 2018 Mar 10.

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic pediatric condition. Effective asthma management requires a proactive and inclusive approach that controls the patient's symptoms and prevents recurrence of exacerbations. Clinicians should encourage patients to become involved in their management since self-management approaches have proven to be an effective means for chronic illness treatment. Novel forms of self-monitoring and management are technological interventions. In the last decade, novel technology has been developed and used to improve asthma control since it is a powerful agent that addresses a variety of challenges in chronic disease management such as education, communication and adherence. A myriad of technology-based strategies are available although many of these are not evidence based and further studies are needed to evaluate their efficacy in specific asthma-control endpoints. Herein, authors present a review of current and future technology-based options for asthma management and a comparison between them.

Keywords: Asthma management; Developing technology; Telemedicine; Wearable devices.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Self Care
  • Telemedicine*