Reminder Asthma Management Program

There are two components to this trial: 1. Observational: A population of children with poorly controlled asthma despite optimal treatment (prescription of an inhaled corticosteroid at a dose of Flixotide 500 ug/day or equivalent AND either a long acting beta agonist or Montelukast, typically Seretide 500ug per day) will be studied. This will include measuring adherence with preventive medication using an electronic monitoring device. A number of questionnaires will also be used to explore a number of treatment, psychological and demographic variables. The observational period will be for one month. 2. A RCT investigating whether using an electronic monitoring device with a reminder function and reporting adherence data back to the patient improves adherence. During the second month of the trial half the subjects will have the reminder function turned on and will receive feedback on their adherence with their preventive medication. A direct coparison of adherence will occur for one month. The control group will continue to receive standard care during the second month. In the third month the control group will be exposed to the intervention. Adherence will be measured using an electronic monitoring device attached to the patient's preventive medication. All doses taken during the study will be recorded. Thus in summary, the intervention group will have one month of being monitored and two months of intervention. The control group will have two months of monitoring followed by one month of intervention.