Promoting the use of personal action plans in asthma self-management: synthesis of the qualitative evidence and integration of qualitative findings with trial based evidence

Citation

Ring NA, Hoskins G, Wilson C, Jepson R, Wyke S, Pinnock H & Sheikh A (2009) Promoting the use of personal action plans in asthma self-management: synthesis of the qualitative evidence and integration of qualitative findings with trial based evidence. Scottish Government - Chief Scientist Office. CSO Report, CZG/2/410. CSO Scotland web site: CSO Scotland, Edinburgh. http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/ExecSumms/Jan-June%202010/Sheikh%20needs%20Feb10.pdf

Abstract
Aim: To improve the use of asthma action plans by understanding what helps or hinders their promotion by health professionals and their use by patients. Project Outline/Methodology: The work programme was in two phases: 1. A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies on what facilitates or prevents the use of asthma action plans. 2. Cross-study synthesis to integrate qualitative and quantitative systematic review findings. Key Results: Twenty papers (19 studies conducted in five countries between 1998-2009) met our criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Five papers provided personal insight, e.g. from patients, into action plans specifically with the remainder focusing on self-management generally.