Developing theoretically underpinned primary care resources for patients with asthma: an exemplar from the IMP2ART trial.

Abstract

Aim: This article reports on the development of patient resources for the IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine (IMP²ART) programme that aimed to encourage patients to attend asthma reviews (invitation letters), encourage patients to enquire about asthma action plans (posters), and equip patients with the knowledge to manage their asthma (information website).

Background: To improve supported asthma self-management in UK primary care, the IMP²ART programme developed a whole-systems approach (patient resources, professional education, and organisational strategies).

Methods: Linked to behaviour change theory, we developed a range of patient resources for primary care general practices (an information website, invitation letters to invite patients for asthma reviews, and posters to encourage asthma action plan ownership). We elicited qualitative feedback on the resources from people living with asthma in the UK (n = 17). In addition, we conducted an online survey with volunteers in the UK-wide REgister for Asthma researCH (REACH) database to identify where they source asthma information, whether their information needs are met, and what information would be useful (n = 95).

Findings: Following feedback gathered from the interviews and the online survey, we refined our patient resources for the IMP²ART programme. Refinements included highlighting the seriousness of asthma, enhancing trustworthiness, and including social support resources. We also made necessary colour and formatting changes to the resources. In addition, the patient resources were updated following the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-stage development process enabled us to refine and optimise the patient resources. The IMP²ART strategy is now being tested in a UK-wide cluster RCT (ref: ISRCTN15448074).