Primary care interventions for paediatric asthma management: a rapid review of global evidence

Asthma is a leading chronic respiratory condition in children, and primary care plays a pivotal role in its management. Evidence on primary care–based interventions for paediatric asthma remains fragmented. This rapid review synthesised global evidence on primary care interventions for paediatric asthma and their clinical, health service and implementation outcomes. Following Cochrane Rapid Review methodology and PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched for English-language studies published between January 2015 and February 2026 that reported interventions for children aged 4–18 years in primary care. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and appraised methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Narrative synthesis was conducted due to heterogeneity. Sixteen studies were included. Interventions were multifaceted and targeted asthma assessment, treatment and self-management. These included tailored education for children, families and healthcare providers ( n = 9), guideline-based assessment and decision-support tools ( n = 6), written asthma action plans ( n = 5), digital health tools ( n = 5), and pharmacy- or nurse-led reviews ( n = 4). Use of standardised tools, such as the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), improved the identification of poorly controlled asthma and prompted treatment adjustments. Educational interventions consistently improved inhaler technique, asthma knowledge and quality of life, whereas digital health interventions demonstrated mixed effects on asthma control and treatment engagement. Written asthma action plans were generally implemented within multifaceted interventions, limiting the assessment of their independent effects. Several interventions were associated with reduced emergency department visits, hospitalisations and school absenteeism. Primary care–based paediatric asthma interventions are multifaceted and associated with improved asthma control, self-management and healthcare utilisation. These findings support integrating guideline-based assessment, education, and team-based care into routine primary care practice. However, further research is needed to clarify the independent effectiveness of digital support tools and written asthma action plans.