Self management beliefs--attitudes and behaviour of adults with severe life threatening asthma requiring an admission to hospital.
BACKGROUND
Adults who have had an admission for severe life threatening asthma are at high risk of future attacks or death. Optimal self management is the key to reducing this risk but relies on people recognising the severity of symptoms and engaging in specific health care behaviour.


METHODS
We used a focus group to examine self management beliefs, attitudes and behaviours in five adults admitted to hospital for asthma.


RESULTS
There were a number of themes. Patients delayed seeking medical attention until asthma symptoms were severe despite ownership of a peak expiratory flow meter, written plan, or experience of previous attack.


CONCLUSIONS
Insight into the significance of the severity of symptoms and need to change self management behaviour in response to symptoms is key to reducing the risk of future attacks. The general practitioner has a key role in determining and addressing self management behaviour and attitudes that place patients at risk.
Donald
Karen J
KJ
School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Victoria. k.donald@latrobe.edu.au
McBurney
Helen
H
Browning
Colette
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010819:Physician's Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D014739:Victoria