A qualitative study of action plans for asthma

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the perspectives of patients with asthma on the use of an action plan and the implementation of this plan during an asthma attack that culminated in a visit to an emergency department. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital, suburban hospital, and rural hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 62 patients aged 18 to 69 years who presented to an emergency department with asthma over a two month period. RESULTS: 29 participants described having action plans given to them by their doctors. Most patients with action plans reinterpreted their plan from the perspective of their own experiences with asthma. 33 patients did not have an action plan, the most common reason being that they had not been given one by their doctor. Some occupational groups were significantly less likely to have been given an action plan by their doctor than others. Most patients with an action plan found them useful for management of their asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Action plans were viewed positively by patients. Participants modified their prescribed plan according to their experience of asthma. To facilitate the implementation of a prescribed action plan, doctors need to acknowledge and include the patient's personal experience of their disease.