Self-management in bronchiectasis: The patients' perspective

¹ Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland; and Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
² Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
³ Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland; and Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern, Ireland
⁴ UNESCO Centre, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jm.bradley{at}ulster.ac.uk.

	Abstract

Self-management programmes for chronic disease are a high priority for health care providers. The content and method of delivery of self-management should give consideration to the specific requirements of the disease population. The aims of this study were to assess the physical and psychosocial impact of bronchiectasis, determine if patients with bronchiectasis are receptive to self-management and identify any obstacles or sources of support for a disease specific self-management programme. Thirty-two patients with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis attended four focus groups. Each focus group was videotaped and subjected to qualitative analysis using the grounded theory approach. Bronchiectasis has an impact on a patient's physical and psychosocial well-being. Patients have the potential to self-manage with strategies including self-regulation of medication and airway clearance. Perceived obstacles to self-management include lack of information and confidence. Patients suggest that self-management could be promoted through disease specific information and appropriate health care procedures. Patients with bronchiectasis have their lives disrupted by this chronic condition, but they are receptive to self-management. This study has provided information from the patients' perspective of elements which need to be included in a disease specific self-management programme.