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Published on: November 4, 2010
Experiences by patients with asthma-like symptoms of a problem-based learning health education programme
K C Ringsberg1, M Lepp, B Finnström
1Department of Health and Environment, Division for Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden.
Background:
Eighteen patients with asthma-like symptoms but negative asthma tests, randomly selected, participated in a problem-based learning health education programme. The programme had a multidisciplinary approach and included exercises inspired by cognitive behavioural therapy.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to describe how the patients experienced the programme.
Methods:
After termination of the programme, semi-structured interviews with a phenomenographic approach were conducted with 15 of the participants.
Results:
Two categories emerged, with three sub-categories each. In these, the informants described how they felt solidarity with the group, received confirmation from the other participants and had increased their self-confidence. They had started to look upon themselves and the disorder from a different perspective, they could describe the disorder in words and they had started to use new, conscious coping strategies.
Conclusions:
Patients with asthma-like symptoms benefit from taking part in a problem-based learning health education programme. It helps them to reflect upon themselves and the disorder and to use new strategies to cope with it.
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