An exploratory study of priority information needs in adult asthma patients

Caress, Ann-Louise, Luker, Karen, Woodcock, Ashley and Beaver, Kinta orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-6552-2323 (2002) An exploratory study of priority information needs in adult asthma patients. Patient Education and Counseling, 47 (4). pp. 319-327. ISSN 07383991

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0738-3991(02)00005-8

Abstract

The aim of this study was to gain insight into patients' perspectives on key information needs regarding their asthma. Focused conversation-style interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 32 patients (aged 18-84 years; males=17, females=15) from five sites (four primary care, one secondary care) in North West England. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim, then subjected to line-by-line content analysis. Nine core information needs were identified: current medications; new therapies; medication side effects; triggers of an asthma attack; lifestyle issues; asthma causation; effects of asthma; long term outcome; and symptom control. Individual differences in information need were apparent, as were differences according to asthma severity. The findings highlight some of the challenges facing health professionals when information-giving. The study's findings could be used in a clinical context to facilitate discussion or to tailor information, and could also provide a basis for future quantitative studies.


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