Butler, N. (1990). Patient Education in the Treatment of Asthma:a controlled evaluation of providing information for "new" asthmatics. Masters thesis, Aston University.
Abstract
Eighty adult asthmatics, aged 16 to 77 years, were interviewed to determine their knowledge of, attitudes towards, and perceptions of asthma. The subjects were all coming into contact with the hospital service for the first time and data were collected about the extent and sources of informational ready received. They took part in a randomised controlled study of the effects of providing an information booklet and personal counselling on morbidity, compliance with prescribed treatment, knowledge and attitudes. Subjects were provided with a Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) meter and diary card and asked to keep a daily record of PEF, symptoms and compliance with prescribed treatment for six months. An interview on completion measured the acceptability of the intervention and its' effect on knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and morbidity. Results indicated that there were important deficiencies in knowledge about asthma, its treatment, and self-management behaviour. However, there was a desire for further information which was partially satisfied in the intervention groups by providing an information booklet and personal counselling session. The patients had a positive attitude to their disease, its treatment and the concept of preventing attacks. There was concern about the long term safety of medication. and despite a proportion requiring hospital admission there was the widespread belief that asthma was not fatal. The intervention was well received by the subjects who felt it helped them to live better with their asthma. It improved some aspects of knowledge, attitude, and perception although not significantly, and it had no significant effect on morbidity or stated compliance with prescribed treatment. Participation may also have decreased the perception of seriousness of their condition amongst those who completed the study. It was not possible, in retrospect, to distinguish between 'dropouts' and 'finishers' at the initial interview in any of the areas studied.
| Divisions: | College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Copyright © Butler, N. 1990. N. Butler asserts their moral right to be identified as the author of this thesis. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the thesis and no information derived from it may be published without appropriate permission or acknowledgement. If you have discovered material in Aston Publications Explorer which is unlawful e.g. breaches copyright, (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please read our Takedown Policy and contact the service immediately. |
| Institution: | Aston University |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | patient education,asthma treatment,asthmatic,controlled evaluation,information |
| Last Modified: | 13 Jun 2025 12:44 |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Mar 2014 17:20 |
| Completed Date: | 1990 |
| Authors: |
Butler, N.
|