Patient evaluations of asthma counselling quality in primary health care \u2014 a cross-sectional survey

Katariina Mäkelä,Mira Rajala,Pirjo Kaakinen,Kirsi Kivelä,Maria Kääriäinen

doi:10.1007/s10389-020-01278-z

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare staff have a key role in counselling patients. This study describes asthma patients’ evaluations of primary care counselling quality.MethodsThe research applied a cross-sectional study design, with data collected from adult asthma patients (n = 73). Data were analysed by descriptive statistics.ResultsMost of participating patients were women (73%) and over 60 years old (67%). The patients were generally satisfied with the counselling. Subjection to an asthma test (p = 0.009) and smoking (p = 0.019) were found to significantly positively affect patient perceptions of counselling quality. The patients also felt that support services should be covered more (74%). Patients with comprehensive education (p = 0.039) and smokers (p = 0.015) were more likely to be satisfied with the counselling than other patients. Counselling was client-oriented (53%) and most patients reported experiencing positive interactions (92%). Most patients agreed that counselling benefitted adherence to self-care (75%) and health promotion (67%). Moreover, almost all of the patients were satisfied with the staff members’ knowledge and skills (97%). Subjection to an asthma test (p = 0.043), age (p = 0.030), smoking (p = 0.014), and duration of illness (p = 0.002) influenced satisfaction with counselling resources.ConclusionThe results indicate that counselling benefits asthma patients. Performing an asthma test, as well as considering smoking habits and educational level, can improve patient perceptions of counselling.

Highlights

Asthma is an inflammatory and chronic disease, with an incidence of about 10% among the Finnish adult population (THL 2017)
This study examines the quality of counselling for adult clients with asthma; the quality of counselling is defined as a sufficient content of counselling, implementation and counselling resources are adequate, and counselling have benefit for clients (Kääriäinen 2007; Kivelä et al 2014; Kaakinen et al 2017)
The present study aimed to describe asthma patients’ evaluations of the quality of counselling they received in primary care, as well as identify factors which influence the quality of counselling

Summary

Introduction

Asthma is an inflammatory and chronic disease, with an incidence of about 10% among the Finnish adult population (THL 2017). In Finland, adults with asthma are predominantly treated in primary care. Finnish patients with asthma have the right to receive the healthcare support that their medical condition requires, and have come to expect high-quality healthcare. According to Finnish law, patients have the opportunity to take part in the decision-making regarding their care (Act 1992/785). Nurses have an active role in the follow-up phase of asthma care, along with the assessment of a patient’s health status This study describes asthma patients’ evaluations of primary care counselling quality

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Discussion

Conclusion