Public perception of realtime information services for environmental monitoring and management of asthma

Abstract

A questionnaire was distributed to asthma patients and relatives of paediatric patients in the Royal Brompton Hospital outpatient clinic in London during March 2003. The aim was to determine how well informed those affected by asthma and allergic diseases were, to find out the best medium for distributing relevant information (e.g. Internet, mobile phones) and to discover the type of information they wished to receive. A total of 298 questionnaires were distributed and all were completed (100% response rate). The level of education of the respondents was high and the majority lived outside the London area. The questionnaire showed that the respondents would like to be informed about a wide range of information related to monitoring and self-management of asthma. Avoidance measurements and prevention was the first choice, followed closely by information on substances, and the environment and allergies. The Internet was the preferred means of communication with an information service provider. The telephone was also popular, and more popular than the mobile phone. The majority of participants were not willing to pay for an information service.