Telemedicine Enhances Asthma Management in School Settings
United States, Monday, 3 November 2025.
The TEAM-UP program shows telemedicine significantly improves asthma control in children, reducing symptoms and healthcare needs, highlighting digital health’s role in managing chronic conditions in schools.
Introduction to the TEAM-UP Program
The Telemedicine Enhanced Asthma Management-Uniting Providers (TEAM-UP) program has demonstrated remarkable success in improving asthma management among children with moderate-to-severe asthma. Conducted in a school environment, this program combines daily preventive medication and telemedicine consultations, resulting in enhanced asthma control and reduced healthcare utilization. According to recent findings, children participating in the TEAM-UP program experienced, on average, 1.32 more symptom-free days compared to the control group, highlighting the effectiveness of this integrative approach [1][2].
Telemedicine’s Role in Asthma Management
Telemedicine has emerged as a pivotal tool in managing chronic conditions like asthma by providing accessible and consistent care. The TEAM-UP program’s use of telemedicine allowed for regular specialist consultations, which significantly decreased the likelihood of emergency visits and hospitalizations among participating children. By the 12-month mark, children in the TEAM-UP group had reduced odds of missing school and requiring emergency healthcare services, emphasizing telemedicine’s potential to mitigate asthma’s impact on daily life and education [1][3].
Impact on Pediatric Health Outcomes
The integration of telemedicine in school settings offers a dual benefit of providing healthcare access within a familiar environment and reducing absenteeism due to asthma. This approach not only improves health outcomes but also supports educational continuity, as demonstrated by the decreased school absence rates in the TEAM-UP group. The innovative model used in the TEAM-UP program could serve as a template for other under-resourced communities, where access to traditional healthcare services is limited [1][4].
Future Implications for Digital Health
The success of the TEAM-UP program underscores the potential of digital health technologies in revolutionizing chronic disease management, particularly in pediatric populations. As digital health continues to advance, integrating such technologies into existing healthcare frameworks could enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The findings from the TEAM-UP study, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, provide a compelling case for broader adoption of telemedicine solutions in schools, especially for chronic conditions like asthma [1][5].