Abstract
Patient interviews provide a unique opportunity to identify common concerns and problems that may not be identified at the level of the general practitioner or hospital, and that may influence patient use of home oxygen therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the patients' perceptions of oxygen therapy and how it has impacted on their life.
Methods:
The study involved the use of semi-structured patient interviews to obtain de-identified qualitative data reflecting patient perceptions of home oxygen therapy. Five initial questions were used to develop a dialogue with the patient. Including: How did you feel when you were told that you needed home oxygen therapy?
What are the pluses and minuses of home oxygen therapy?
The questions used were formulated after discussion by a group of Respiratory Unit health professionals. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed into a rich text formatted data file for analysis using NVivo (QSR International Software) qualitative analysis software. The Ethics Committees of the Royal Adelaide Hospital (040816) and The University of Adelaide (H-106-2004) approved the study.
Results:
Qualitative data obtained from 17 face to face interviews. The interviews were recorded electronically and downloaded into computer software. Transcripts were coded to 12 themes covering the impact of needing oxygen, the participants’ feelings about acquiring and having lung disease, their fears and some of the difficulties experienced. Categories and themes were developed around the objectives of the study.
Conclusion:
A feeling of ‘embarrassment’ was one of the most common occurring themes. During interview it was apparent that the patients expressed two further dominant themes of grief and loss for one's former self, and social isolation.
Conflict of interest and funding
This study was funded by the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Research Committee Project Grant Funding for 2005.
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Crockett, A., Wilson, A., Antic, R. et al. ABS55: A qualitative study of patient perceptions of home oxygen therapy. Prim Care Respir J 15, 200 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.150
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.150