An exploratory study of priority information needs in adult asthma patients

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.