Abstract
Objective:
To examine the extent to which patients are empowered by their doctor or nurse to adjust their asthma medication dose using self-management plans.
Method:
A small survey was undertaken among 114 asthma patients (from 14 practices) on regular maintenance inhaled steroid therapy. Patients were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about the instructions they had been given and their use of their steroid inhaler.
Results:
Seventy seven per cent of the 114 asthmatics in the survey would increase their ‘brown’ inhaler if their symptoms got worse and 40% would reduce their ‘brown’ inhaler if they had no symptoms. On the whole, the patients’ description of their self-management plans reflected the reported advice given by the doctor/nurse, although there was evidence of some intentional non-compliance. Most notably, 17% reported that they would stop using their ‘brown’ inhaler if they had no symptoms.
Conclusion:
Younger patients were empowered to manage their asthma more than older patients. Patients are more likely to be advised to step up their prophylactic therapy during uncontrolled episodes, rather than to step down when their asthma comes under control. Although the majority of patients reported that they followed the instructions they were given, a significant minority reported deliberate non-compliance with the use of prophylactic treatment.
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Hyland, M. How do patients operate self-management plans?. Prim Care Respir J 5, 11–13 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.1997.6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.1997.6