Exploring Patient's Perspectives and Experiences After Start with Inhalation Maintenance Therapy: A Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Care
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Obstructive lung disease management requires patient behavior change.
• Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy necessitates tailored pharmaceutical care.
• Understanding patient perspectives early in ICS treatment is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient behavior, goals, and perceptions at the start of ICS therapy.
• To assess patient and pharmacist experiences with telephone interviews.
• To evaluate the utility of pharmacist consultations for daily practice.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted by pharmacists with adult ICS starters.
• Utilized the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) for data analysis.
• Post-interview questionnaires for patients and pharmacists on their experiences.

Main Results:

• Interviews covered 11 TDF domains, revealing patient goals focused on symptom control.
• Identified patient knowledge gaps regarding ICS indication and duration.
• Patients expressed varied views on medication benefits and side effect concerns.
• Both patients and pharmacists perceived significant value in these consultations.

Conclusions:

• Early patient interviews identify crucial perceptions influencing ICS adherence and goal achievement.
• Patients valued the pharmacist interaction for addressing concerns and needs.
• Pharmacists found these interviews beneficial for enhancing daily practice and patient care.