ORCID
- Lanario, Joseph: 0000-0003-0317-9774
Abstract
ackground Opportunities for home-monitoring are increasing exponentially. Home- spirometry is reproducible and reliable in interstitial lung disease (ILD), yet patients’ experiences are not reported. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with ILDs, maintaining health-related quality-of-life is vital. We report our findings from a codesigned, qualitative study capturing the perspectives and experiences of patients using home-spirometry in a UK regional ILD National Health Service England (NHSE) commissioned service. Methods Patients eligible for home-spirometry as routine clinical care, able to give consent and able to access a smart phone were invited to participate. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted at serial time points (baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months), recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results We report on the experiences of 10 recruited patients (8 males; median age 66 years, range 50–82 years; 7 diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 3 other ILDs) who generally found spirometry convenient and easy to use, but their relationships with forced vital capacity results were complex. Main themes emerging were: (1) anticipated benefits—to identify change, trigger action and aid understanding of condition; (2) needs—clinical oversight and feedback, understanding of results, ownership, need for data and a need ‘to know’; (3) emotional impact—worry, reassurance, ambivalence/conflicting feelings, reminder of health issues, indifference; (4) ease of home-spirometry—simplicity, convenience and (5) difficulties with home-spirometry—technical issues, technique, physical effort. Conclusion Home-spirometry has many benefits, but in view of the potential risks to psychological well-being, must be considered on an individual basis. Informed consent and decision-making are essential and should be ongoing, acknowledging potential limitations as well as benefits. Healthcare support is vital.
DOI
10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001837
Publication Date
2023-10-01
Publication Title
BMJ Open Respiratory Research
Volume
10
Issue
1
Embargo Period
2023-11-01
Organisational Unit
Faculty of Health
Recommended Citation
Mandizha, J., Lanario, J., Duckworth, A., Lines, S., Paiva, A., Elworthy, V., Muraleedharan, V., Da, P., Shuttleworth, R., Brown, G., Almond, H., Bond, C., Cosby, M., Dallas, J., Naqvi, M., Russell, A., Berry, A., Gibbons, M., Scotton, C., & Russell, A. (2023) 'Patient perspectives on home-spirometry in interstitial lung disease: a qualitative co-designed study', BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 10(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001837
