scholarly journals What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e022126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherina Heinrichs ◽  
Patricia Vu-Eickmann ◽  
Stefan Hummel ◽  
Jalal Gholami ◽  
Adrian Loerbroks

ObjectivesAsthma can represent a substantial challenge to the affected individual, but is usually well controlled by adequate asthma self-management behaviour (SMB). Asthma SMB comprises symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, acute symptom management and communication with important others. The implementation of asthma SMB seems to depend on contextual factors. For employed adults, working conditions may be important in this respect. We, therefore, aimed to explore the perceived influences on effective asthma SMB at work.DesignOur qualitative study built on semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis.SettingParticipants were recruited in two pulmonary rehabilitation clinics in Northern Germany.ParticipantsWe conducted 27 interviews among employees with asthma (female: n=15) who worked at least 20 hours per week and were diagnosed with asthma at least 6 months prior to interviewing. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded.ResultsAccording to participants, the most influential factors with regard to asthma SMB at work appeared to be job decision latitude (JDL) and social support. JDL (ie, the control over one’s tasks and when and how things were done) was perceived to affect symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, and acute symptom management, but not communication. Support by colleagues, line managers, and the employer, for example, practical, emotional, or structural support, was perceived to exert effects on symptom prevention, acute symptom management, and communication (ie, self-disclosure of one’s condition).ConclusionsPerceived JDL and social support were experienced as influencing successful implementation of asthma SMB at the workplace.Trial registration numberGerman Clinical Trials Register no: DRKS00011309.

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002831
Author(s):  
Meena Kalluri ◽  
Sarah Younus ◽  
Nathan Archibald ◽  
Janice Richman-Eisenstat ◽  
Charlotte Pooler

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, incurable fibrotic lung disease in which patients and caregivers report a high symptom burden. Symptoms are often poorly managed and patients and caregivers struggle to alleviate their distress in the absence of self-management support.AimTo explore perceptions of symptoms, symptom management strategies and self-efficacy for patients with IPF and caregivers who received self-management education and action plans created and provided in a Multidisciplinary Collaborative Interstitial Lung Disease (MDC-ILD) Clinic.DesignA qualitative study was conducted with participants recruited from the MDC-ILD Clinic. Participants received an early integrated palliative approach; most attended ILD pulmonary rehabilitation and some received home care support. Semistructured interviews were conducted. Patient participants completed Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) for symptom assessment and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self-Efficacy Scale to assess self-management efficacy.ResultsThirteen patients and eight self-declared caregiver participants were interviewed. IPF severity ranged from mild to advanced disease. Participants integrated and personalised self-management strategies. They were intentional and confident, focused on living well and engaged in anticipatory planning. Twelve participants completed the MYMOP. Five reported dyspnoea. Four reported fatigue as an additional or only symptom. One reported cough. Five declared no dyspnoea, cough or fatigue. Participants reported 80% self-efficacy in symptom management.ConclusionsThe approach to symptom self-management and education was beneficial to patients with IPF and caregiver participants. Participants personalised the strategies, focusing on living, and planned both in the moment and for the future. They were confident and expressed dignity and meaning in their lives.


10.2196/16343 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e16343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lundell ◽  
Mari Modig ◽  
Åsa Holmner ◽  
Karin Wadell

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem and an economic burden globally. There is growing interest in how electronic health (eHealth) can be used to provide efficient health care. Telemonitoring, where the patient’s health-related data is transmitted to a health care provider, can be used to detect early signs of exacerbations. A successful implementation of telemonitoring systems into clinical practice requires in-depth knowledge of the users’ preferences. Objective The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of the use of a home telemonitoring system among patients with COPD. Methods Semistructured individual interviews were carried out with 8 women and 5 men who were participants in a project aimed at developing and evaluating a telemonitoring system. The web-based telemonitoring system measured pulmonary function, subjective symptoms, and oxygen saturation. Participants were interviewed after having used the system for 2-4 months. Interview transcripts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results The analysis resulted in the theme A transition toward increased control and security and four categories: using with (in)security, affecting technical concern or confidence, providing easy access to health care, and increasing control over the disease. The participants reported various perceptions of using the telemonitoring system. They expressed initial feelings of insecurity, both in terms of operating the system and in terms of their disease. However, the practical management of the telemonitoring system became easier with time; the participants gradually gained confidence and improved their self-management. New technology was perceived as an important complement to existing health care, but the importance of maintaining a human contact in real life or through the telemonitoring system was emphasized. Conclusions This study captured a transition among the participants from being insecure and experiencing technical concerns to acquiring technical confidence and improving disease management. Telemonitoring can be a valuable complement to health care, leading to increased self-knowledge, a sense of security, and improved self-management. Suggestions to improve the further development and implementation of telemonitoring systems include better patient education and the involvement of end users in the technical development process. Additional research is needed, particularly in the design of user-friendly systems, as well as in developing tools to predict which patients are most likely to find the equipment useful, as this may result in increased empowerment, improved quality of life, reduced costs, and a contribution to equity in health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Gaveikaite ◽  
Casandra Grundstrom ◽  
Stefan Winter ◽  
Helen Schonenberg ◽  
Minna Isomursu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Telehealth (TH) was introduced as a promising tool to support integrated care for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It aims at improving self-management and providing remote support for continuous disease management. However, it is often not clear how TH-supported services fit into existing pathways for COPD management. The objective of this study is to uncover where TH can successfully contribute to providing care for COPD patients exemplified in a Greek care pathway. The secondary objective is to identify what conditions need to be considered for successful implementation of TH services. Methods Building on a single case study, we used a two-phase approach to identify areas in a Greek COPD care pathway where care services that are recommended in clinical guidelines are currently not implemented (challenges) and areas that are not explicitly recommended in the guidelines but that would benefit from TH services (opportunities). In phase I, we used the care delivery value chain framework to identify the divergence between the clinical guidelines and the actual practice captured by a survey with COPD healthcare professionals. In phase II, we conducted in-depth interviews with the same healthcare professionals based on the discovered divergences. The responses were analyzed with respect to identified opportunities for TH and care pathway challenges. Results Our results reveal insights in two areas. First, several areas with challenges were identified: patient education, self-management, medication adherence, physical activity, and comorbidity management. TH opportunities were perceived as offering better bi-directional communication and a tool for reassuring patients. Second, considering the identified challenges and opportunities together with other case context details a set of conditions was extracted that should be fulfilled to implement TH successfully. Conclusions The results of this case study provide detailed insights into a care pathway for COPD in Greece. Addressing the identified challenges and opportunities in this pathway is crucial for adopting and implementing service innovations. Therefore, this study contributes to a better understanding of requirements for the successful implementation of integrated TH services in the field of COPD management. Consequently, it may encourage healthcare professionals to implement TH-supported services as part of routine COPD management.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lundell ◽  
Mari Modig ◽  
Åsa Holmner ◽  
Karin Wadell

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem and an economic burden globally. There is growing interest in how electronic health (eHealth) can be used to provide efficient health care. Telemonitoring, where the patient’s health-related data is transmitted to a health care provider, can be used to detect early signs of exacerbations. A successful implementation of telemonitoring systems into clinical practice requires in-depth knowledge of the users’ preferences. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of the use of a home telemonitoring system among patients with COPD. METHODS Semistructured individual interviews were carried out with 8 women and 5 men who were participants in a project aimed at developing and evaluating a telemonitoring system. The web-based telemonitoring system measured pulmonary function, subjective symptoms, and oxygen saturation. Participants were interviewed after having used the system for 2-4 months. Interview transcripts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The analysis resulted in the theme <i>A transition toward increased control and security</i> and four categories: using with (in)security, affecting technical concern or confidence, providing easy access to health care, and increasing control over the disease. The participants reported various perceptions of using the telemonitoring system. They expressed initial feelings of insecurity, both in terms of operating the system and in terms of their disease. However, the practical management of the telemonitoring system became easier with time; the participants gradually gained confidence and improved their self-management. New technology was perceived as an important complement to existing health care, but the importance of maintaining a human contact in real life or through the telemonitoring system was emphasized. CONCLUSIONS This study captured a transition among the participants from being insecure and experiencing technical concerns to acquiring technical confidence and improving disease management. Telemonitoring can be a valuable complement to health care, leading to increased self-knowledge, a sense of security, and improved self-management. Suggestions to improve the further development and implementation of telemonitoring systems include better patient education and the involvement of end users in the technical development process. Additional research is needed, particularly in the design of user-friendly systems, as well as in developing tools to predict which patients are most likely to find the equipment useful, as this may result in increased empowerment, improved quality of life, reduced costs, and a contribution to equity in health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 00036-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Wu ◽  
Shiphra Ginsburg ◽  
Tatiana Son ◽  
Andrea S. Gershon

BackgroundTechnology such as wearable technology and self-management applications could improve the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by real-time continuous monitoring, early detection of COPD and improved self-management. However, patients have not been willing to use technology when it is too difficult to use, interferes with their daily lives or threatens their identity, independence and self-care.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study to determine what patients with COPD would like to see in a wearable device and a mobile application to help manage their condition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and concepts.ResultsWe interviewed 14 people with COPD with an average age of 69 years. Participants perceived that the technology could improve their ability to manage their condition both in daily life and during exacerbations by connecting how they feel and by knowing their oxygen saturation, heart rate and activity. The technology may help them address feelings of fear and panic associated with exacerbations and may provide reassurance and connectedness. Some people with COPD wanted their healthcare providers to have access to their data, while others were concerned about inundating them with too much information. Of note, people wanted to maintain control of the information; to make connections with the data, but also in order to be alerted when a possible exacerbation occurs.ConclusionPatients perceived significant potential for wearables and apps to help manage their condition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-358
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammad Parviniannasab ◽  
Mahnaz Rakhshan ◽  
Marzieh Momennasab ◽  
Mitra Soltanian ◽  
Masoume Rambod ◽  
...  

A qualitative study was conducted to investigate the concept of resilience among Iranian haemophilic adolescents based on the Haase’s Resilience in Illness Model (RIM). Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 participants comprising haemophilic adolescents and their parents in the study. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed using direct content analysis. The themes and categories were defensive coping (emotive coping, evasive coping), courageous coping (optimism, constructive approach, seeking support), derived meaning (spiritual strategy, hope) and social support (support from family, friends and treatment teams). Social support, adopting a spiritual strategy and self-management behaviours played an important role among the adolescents in improving their level of resilience and skills to cope with haemophilia.


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