Qureshi, Irtiza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2273-844X, Gogoi, Mayuri, Pareek, Manish, Pinnock, Hilary, Lo, David, Bowden, Tony, ten Veldhuijs, Sander, Melville, Jacqui and Gaillard, Erol A (2025) Trialling the Hailie® smart inhaler with children and young people for asthma management in the United Kingdom: a nested qualitative evaluation. Digital Health, 11. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2055-2076 (Print), 2055-2076 (Online) (doi:10.1177/20552076251378435)

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Abstract

Background
Monitoring of inhaler use in high-risk children has the potential to reduce asthma attacks and asthma-related deaths. We, therefore, undertook the first UK primary care study to identify high-risk children and young people by searching primary care health records and provided the Hailie® smart inhaler to monitor their asthma medication usage. In this article, we present data from the nested qualitative study, conducted with key stakeholders.
Methods
This qualitative interview-based study explored a range of topics relating to the experiences of paediatric asthma care and management, including the use of the Hailie® smart inhaler, from the perspectives of the children, their parents/carers and healthcare professionals. Interview transcripts were generated and thematically analysed.
Results
Six parent–child dyads and one parent were interviewed, either online or face-to-face. Additionally, three healthcare professionals (1 Nurse, 1 Pharmacist and 1 Practice Manager) involved in paediatric asthma care and/or management were also interviewed. Two specific themes were identified: Firstly, app-based monitoring was generally viewed positively and was reassuring to parents. Children also appreciated learning about using their inhalers. Secondly, challenges with synching were identified and users had some practical suggestions for improvement. Healthcare professionals also observed that monitoring should not replace clinical support for self-management.
Conclusion
Our findings support the acceptability and usefulness of the Hailie® smart inhaler amongst children with high-risk asthma, although some technical difficulties need to be addressed. Further research is needed to assess effectiveness in clinical care management.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	"The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Adherium Limited manufactures the Hailie® smart inhaler. For this study, Helicon Health Ltd deployed and supported Adherium's Hailie® smart inhaler in collaboration with the University of Leicester team. This study was supported by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research Patient and Public Involvement group, Health Innovation East Midlands and Asthma + Lung UK, and has received funding from the Small Business Research Initiative Healthcare (SBRI Healthcare), an Accelerated Access Collaborative Initiative."
Uncontrolled Keywords:	digital monitoring, primary care, paediatric, acceptability, adherence, inhaler
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Inequalities
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2025 16:12
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51346

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