What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study

Objectives Asthma can represent a substantial challenge to the affected individual, but is usually well controlled by adequate asthma self-management behaviour (SMB). Asthma SMB comprises symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, acute symptom management and communication with important others. The im...

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Main Authors: Adrian Loerbroks, Katherina Heinrichs, Patricia Vu-Eickmann, Stefan Hummel, Jalal Gholami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2018-08-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/8/e022126.full
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author Adrian Loerbroks
Katherina Heinrichs
Patricia Vu-Eickmann
Stefan Hummel
Jalal Gholami
author_facet Adrian Loerbroks
Katherina Heinrichs
Patricia Vu-Eickmann
Stefan Hummel
Jalal Gholami
author_sort Adrian Loerbroks
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Asthma can represent a substantial challenge to the affected individual, but is usually well controlled by adequate asthma self-management behaviour (SMB). Asthma SMB comprises symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, acute symptom management and communication with important others. The implementation of asthma SMB seems to depend on contextual factors. For employed adults, working conditions may be important in this respect. We, therefore, aimed to explore the perceived influences on effective asthma SMB at work.Design Our qualitative study built on semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis.Setting Participants were recruited in two pulmonary rehabilitation clinics in Northern Germany.Participants We conducted 27 interviews among employees with asthma (female: n=15) who worked at least 20 hours per week and were diagnosed with asthma at least 6 months prior to interviewing. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded.Results According to participants, the most influential factors with regard to asthma SMB at work appeared to be job decision latitude (JDL) and social support. JDL (ie, the control over one’s tasks and when and how things were done) was perceived to affect symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, and acute symptom management, but not communication. Support by colleagues, line managers, and the employer, for example, practical, emotional, or structural support, was perceived to exert effects on symptom prevention, acute symptom management, and communication (ie, self-disclosure of one’s condition).Conclusions Perceived JDL and social support were experienced as influencing successful implementation of asthma SMB at the workplace.Trial registration number German Clinical Trials Register no: DRKS00011309.
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spelling doaj-art-64b0f73165904a659c14d3fc60079dd52025-02-10T15:30:12ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552018-08-018810.1136/bmjopen-2018-022126What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative studyAdrian Loerbroks0Katherina Heinrichs1Patricia Vu-Eickmann2Stefan Hummel3Jalal Gholami4Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duesseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany1 Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany1 Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany2 Department of Pneumology and Allergy, MEDIAN Klinik Heiligendamm, Bad Doberan, Germany3 Department of Pneumology, Nordseeklinik Borkum, Borkum, GermanyObjectives Asthma can represent a substantial challenge to the affected individual, but is usually well controlled by adequate asthma self-management behaviour (SMB). Asthma SMB comprises symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, acute symptom management and communication with important others. The implementation of asthma SMB seems to depend on contextual factors. For employed adults, working conditions may be important in this respect. We, therefore, aimed to explore the perceived influences on effective asthma SMB at work.Design Our qualitative study built on semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis.Setting Participants were recruited in two pulmonary rehabilitation clinics in Northern Germany.Participants We conducted 27 interviews among employees with asthma (female: n=15) who worked at least 20 hours per week and were diagnosed with asthma at least 6 months prior to interviewing. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded.Results According to participants, the most influential factors with regard to asthma SMB at work appeared to be job decision latitude (JDL) and social support. JDL (ie, the control over one’s tasks and when and how things were done) was perceived to affect symptom prevention, symptom monitoring, and acute symptom management, but not communication. Support by colleagues, line managers, and the employer, for example, practical, emotional, or structural support, was perceived to exert effects on symptom prevention, acute symptom management, and communication (ie, self-disclosure of one’s condition).Conclusions Perceived JDL and social support were experienced as influencing successful implementation of asthma SMB at the workplace.Trial registration number German Clinical Trials Register no: DRKS00011309.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/8/e022126.full
spellingShingle Adrian Loerbroks
Katherina Heinrichs
Patricia Vu-Eickmann
Stefan Hummel
Jalal Gholami
What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
BMJ Open
title What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
title_full What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
title_fullStr What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
title_short What are the perceived influences on asthma self-management at the workplace? A qualitative study
title_sort what are the perceived influences on asthma self management at the workplace a qualitative study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/8/e022126.full
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