Patient evaluations of asthma counselling quality in primary health care — a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Abstract Background Healthcare staff have a key role in counselling patients. This study describes asthma patients’ evaluations of primary care counselling quality. Methods The research applied a cross-sectional study design, with data collected from adult asthma patients (n = 73). Data were analysed by descriptive statistics. Results Most of participating patients were women (73%) and over 60 years old (67%). The patients were generally satisfied with the counselling. Subjection to an asthma test (p = 0.009) and smoking (p = 0.019) were found to significantly positively affect patient perceptions of counselling quality. The patients also felt that support services should be covered more (74%). Patients with comprehensive education (p = 0.039) and smokers (p = 0.015) were more likely to be satisfied with the counselling than other patients. Counselling was client-oriented (53%) and most patients reported experiencing positive interactions (92%). Most patients agreed that counselling benefitted adherence to self-care (75%) and health promotion (67%). Moreover, almost all of the patients were satisfied with the staff members’ knowledge and skills (97%). Subjection to an asthma test (p = 0.043), age (p = 0.030), smoking (p = 0.014), and duration of illness (p = 0.002) influenced satisfaction with counselling resources. Conclusion The results indicate that counselling benefits asthma patients. Performing an asthma test, as well as considering smoking habits and educational level, can improve patient perceptions of counselling.