Open AccessA qualitative exploration of treatment decision‐making role preference in adult asthma patients
Author(s) -
Caress AnnLouise,
Luker Karen,
Woodcock Ashley,
Beaver Kinta
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1046/j.1369-6513.2002.00181.x
Subject(s) - preference , conversation , focus group , perception , interpersonal communication , qualitative research , psychology , intervention (counseling) , medicine , nursing , medical education , family medicine , social psychology , social science , business , communication , marketing , neuroscience , sociology , economics , microeconomics
Objectives To explore preferred treatment decision‐making roles, and rationales for role preference, and to identify perceived facilitators to and barriers from attaining preferred role. Design Qualitative design. Setting and Participants One secondary care and four primary care sites in North‐west England. Purposive sample of 32 adult asthma patients with varied socio‐economic backgrounds and disease severity. Methods Tape‐recorded focused‐conversation style interviews. Interview topic guide derived from the literature. Sort cards employed to provide the focus for exploration of role preferences. Results Active ( n = 7), collaborative ( n = 11) and passive ( n = 14) decisional role preferences were identified. Respondents cited level of knowledge; trust; duration of condition; severity of condition at the decisional juncture; lifelong nature of asthma; a perception that ‘it is my body’; characteristics of the individual and their response to health professionals as influencing role preference. Perceived facilitators and barriers to participation included condition‐related knowledge, practical issues (e.g. lack of time during consultation) and clinicians' interpersonal skills. Conclusions Most respondents wished to contribute to or feel involved in treatment decision‐making, but not necessarily to control it. Some hindrances to participation would be amenable to intervention. The quality of the provider–patient relationship is central to facilitating participation.