Abstract
Background
Objective
Data Sources
Study Eligibility Criteria
Participants
Interventions
Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods
Results
Limitations
Conclusions and Implications of Key Findings
Keywords
- •While school-based interventions and telemedicine interventions for asthma management have been reported on previously, this review synthesizes the available evidence for a growing trend toward school-based telemedicine interventions.
- •Calls attention to the need for higher-quality study designs with larger sample sizes, as well as a greater focus on costs and school absence measures that are relevant to key stakeholders.
- •School health stakeholders should use this review when considering how to best implement telemedicine technologies. The findings in this review suggest a cautious approach, with more evidence needed, when considering if school-based telemedicine is appropriate in the management of asthma.
- •Research evaluating school-based telemedicine interventions for asthma and other conditions should carry out high-quality studies that report cost measures and school absence outcomes.
Samuel L. At a growing number of schools, sick kids can take a virtual trip to the doctor. 2017; Available at: https://www.statnews.com/2017/07/19/telemedicine-schools-children/. Accessed September 4, 2018.
Methods
Search Strategy and Study Selection
Eligibility Criteria
Study Quality Assessment and Data Collection
Data Synthesis
Results
Study Selection

Study Characteristics
- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
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- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
- Ekegren K
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Reference Number | Age Range | Asthma Severity | Location (School Setting) | Intervention Description | Telemedicine Frequency | School Staff Member |
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Romano 2001 19 | 5–18 | Persistent only | Hart, TX (Rural) | Initial in-person evaluation and spirometry with specialist to confirm asthma diagnosis, establish severity level, provide asthma action plan, and inhaler technique assessment, followed by re-evaluation through synchronous video, consisting of asthma history and physical, spirometry, and review of symptom diary and health care utilization. Patient and school nurse (on-site at school) to remote specialty physician. | Week 4, 12, 24 | School nurse |
Tinkelman 2004 20 | 5–15 | All severity | Denver CO; Carrolton, TX (Urban) | Respiratory nurse care manager or respiratory therapist assisted patient daily to enter peak flow data into interactive asthma diary on school computers. Interactive asthma diary reviewed by National Jewish care managers, with alerts sent to patients for worsening asthma (Asynchronous telemonitoring). Paired with in-person/online interactive education sessions. | Daily | Unclear, study nurse not specified as school staff member |
Bergman 2008 15
The use of telemedicine access to schools to facilitate expert assessment of children with asthma. Int J Telemed Appl. 2008; 2008159276https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/159276 | 5–12 | Mild to moderate | San Francisco, CA (Urban) | Synchronous video of patient and school nurse (on-site at school) with a remote specialist for initial assessment and follow-up visits. Week 0 and 8: evaluation and asthma severity classification, asthma action plan and treatment recommendations provided to family to give to Primary Care Physician (PCP) Week 16: “Open airways for schools” curriculum. Week 32: data collection completion and graduation | Week 0, 8, 16, 32 | School nurse |
Bynum 2011 16 | 5–18 | All severity | Various Locations, AL (Rural) | Synchronous video of patient and school nurse (on-site at school) with remote pediatric nurse practitioner or pharmacist assessing inhaler technique, with in-person spirometry and asthma severity assessments by respiratory therapist. | 2x/ week | School nurse (specifically hired as a school telemedicine nurse for study) |
Arnold 2012 14 | 6–12 | All severity | Harlem, NY (Urban) | Patient entered peak flow data daily and completed an asthma symptom questionnaire weekly via Automated Live E-Health Response Tracking System (ALERTS) on school computers. Reports automatically generated and sent to school health center and PCP. Real-time recommendations provided to students based on a prescribed asthma action plan. Periodic review of peak flow meter data with students by program staff. Direct escorting of students to school health center if severe symptoms identified. (Asynchronous telemonitoring) | 1x–5x/week, depending on asthma severity | School nurse practitioner |
Halterman 2018 17 | 3–10 | Persistent only | Rochester, NY (Urban) | Synchronous video of patient and school telemedicine assistant (on-site at school) or asynchronous telemonitoring (data entered by school telemedicine assistant) with remote clinician (PCP when available) to assess asthma control and severity. Bundled with daily observed therapy of asthma control medications delivered at school. Symptom assessment and treatment recommendations provided to families with recommendations for PCPs provided to usual care group at similar intervals to telemedicine group. | 3 assessments. Baseline and 2 follow-up visits 4–6 weeks apart | School clinical telemedicine assistant |
Perry 2018 18 | 7–14 | All severity | Various locations, AR (Rural) | Synchronous video of patient, patient caregiver or school nurse with board certified allergist, respiratory therapist or asthma educator to provide asthma education. Asynchronous telemonitoring of spirometry data entered by school nurse, asthma symptom questionnaires. | Video: Once every 2 weeks. Telemonitoring: Month 0, 3 | School nurse and caregiver |
Reference Number | Study Design | Sample Size | Outcomes | Survey Recall Period | Data Collection | Study Limitations |
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Romano 2001 19 | Quasi-experimental (Pre-Post) | 17 | Symptom-free days*, max FEV1, quality of life, annualized rates of steroid bursts, health care utilization | 1 week | 0, 4, 12, 24 weeks | No control group. Small sample size. Reported follow-up intervals may correspond to seasonal variability in asthma. |
Tinkelman 2004 20 | Quasi-Experimental (Pre-Post) | 76/41 | Symptom frequency*, health care utilization, quality of life, medication use | – | 0, 1, 6, 12 months (Moderate Asthma) 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months (Severe Asthma) | No control group. No characterization of 35 enrolled subjects that did not complete 6 months in program. High loss to follow-up at 12 months. Proprietary categorical scheme used for reporting of symptom frequency. Survey recall period not specified. |
Bergman 2008 15
The use of telemedicine access to schools to facilitate expert assessment of children with asthma. Int J Telemed Appl. 2008; 2008159276https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/159276 | Quasi-experimental (Pre-Post) | 83 | Quality of life*, symptom frequency, health care utilization*, satisfaction, spirometry, asthma knowledge | 2 weeks | 0, 8, 32 weeks | No control group. Limited symptomatology information collected. |
Bynum 2011 16 | Quasi-experimental (Pre-Post) | 40 | Symptom frequency*, health care utilization, school absences, FEF 25-75% | – | 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 months | No control group. High variability in number of telemedicine consultations completed per student (Range: 2–148). >50% loss to follow-up at 12-, 16-, 20-month intervals |
Arnold 2012 14 | Quasi-experimental (Pre-Post) | 24 | Quality of life*, symptom frequency*, health care utilization. | 2 weeks | 0–15 months, mean participation 12 months | No control group. Small sample size. Non-standardized participation time/follow-up intervals. Selection bias likely due to higher severity of asthma and larger effect sizes seen in subjects participating >8 months. |
Halterman 2018 17 | RCT | 395/382 | Symptom-free days*, symptom frequency, health care utilization, quality of life, school absences, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), preventive medication prescriptions | 2 weeks | 0, 4, 6 months. Final assessment at end of school year (~10 months) | Not blinded, and allocation concealment methods not described. Patients in intervention group received daily observed therapy in addition to telemedicine visits, vs control group receiving usual care. Contribution of telemedicine component to outcomes difficult to assess. |
Perry 2018 18 | Cluster RCT | 393 | Symptom-free days*, quality of life, peak flow, preventive medication prescriptions, self-efficacy, caregiver knowledge, asthma control | 2 weeks | 0, 3, 6 months | Not blinded, and allocation concealment methods not described. Selection bias possible due to low survey completion at follow-up. PedsQL measure only completed by intervention group |
Mean Asthma Symptom-Free Days
Asthma Symptom Frequency
- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
- Ekegren K
- et al.
QOL Measures
- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
- Ekegren K
- et al.
- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
- Ekegren K
- et al.
Health Care Utilization
School Absences
Spirometry
- Bergman DA
- Sharek PJ
- Ekegren K
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Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendix. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
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Article Info
Publication History
Footnotes
The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.
Systematic Review Registration Number: CRD 42018095644.