Establishing a Research - School Partnership to Support School-Based Asthma Management

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Topic - Health, Growth, Injury

Abstract

Asthma, the primary reason for school absence among elementary age students, impacts racial and ethnic minority youth at twice the prevalence of the general population. In Missouri, asthma is the number one reason children are hospitalized. Youth with asthma are the largest population of youth with chronic diseases in K-12 schools, and have absence rates that approach or exceed rates for chronic absenteeism. There is a practice gap of evidence-based strategies among vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by chronic diseases like asthma which impacts educational and health outcomes for this population. A research-school partnership using community-engaged research and implementation science are ideal methods to develop an assessment to better understand this practice gap.

As phase 1 of a 3-phase project, this study uses a modified collaborative implementation planning framework to develop a research-school partnership. This framework employs community-engaged research and implementation mapping to establish an interdisciplinary collaborative stakeholder team in two school districts to develop and conduct a formative assessment of barriers, facilitators, and existing processes for coordinated chronic disease management for youth in K-12 schools. Key stakeholders were identified and recruited from school district personnel and 3 school-based health service providers. Teams then engaged in a 4-month process to develop the formative assessment framework and materials. Team engagement continued throughout implementation of the assessment. Results include successful development of stakeholder teams, establishment of MOUs and team guidelines, identification of key questions and priorities, creation a project roadmap and a logic model; and development of interview and survey protocols, recruitment strategy, timeline, and IRB to conduct the formative assessment.

Evidence-based strategies have lower rates of implementation among vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by disease. This study creates a model for research-school partnerships to develop and deliver interventions to address the impact of health on education. The collaborative process guided project decision making, facilitated an understanding of the communities needs and values, and established a partnership and trust that will support the long term goal of developing an intervention to support youth with asthma in K-12 schools and increase the potential success of the implementation of the intervention.

Authors

• Kelly M Harris, Washington University in St. Louis
  Presenting Author

• Allison L'Hotta, Washington University in St. Louis, School of medicine
  Non-Presenting Author

• Catherine R Hoyt, Washington University in St. Louis
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marsha Treadwell, University of California, San Francisco
  Non-Presenting Author

• Allison King, Washington University in St. Louis, School of medicine
  Non-Presenting Author