A "pretty normal" life: a qualitative study exploring young people's experience of life with bronchiectasis

Outcomes of physiotherapy for people living with bronchiectasis: qualitative study to inform development of a core outcome set

INTRODUCTION

Evidence of the effectiveness of physiotherapy for bronchiectasis is inconsistent, partly due to variation in the selection and reporting of outcomes in clinical trials. This qualitative study is a component of the development of a core outcome set (COS). The COS will identify a minimum group of outcomes for use in clinical trials of physiotherapy considering the views of researchers, patients, and clinicians.

OBJECTIVES

To identify outcomes for use in physiotherapy research that are important to patients and physiotherapists and to explain their significance.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adult patients with bronchiectasis who received physiotherapy, in addition to physiotherapists clinically involved in bronchiectasis care. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify, classify, and explain the significance of outcomes. Outcomes were mapped into the list created from literature review and classified into domains.

RESULTS

We interviewed 18 participants from four countries covering a range of experiences in different settings. Seventy outcomes were identified and grouped into 15 domains. Thirty-three outcomes were not previously reported in the literature. Thematic analysis revealed exacerbations, quality of life, use of healthcare resources, patient-reported symptoms, physical functioning, and sputum as the prominent themes reported by both patients and physiotherapists.

CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative study highlighted the importance of considering stakeholder perspectives when planning research trials. Outcomes identified will be used to inform the next phase of COS development.

REGISTRATION

This study is part of the COS development project registered with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials initiative (COMET) https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1931 CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Sore and tired. A qualitative study exploring the symptom experience of youth with bronchiectasis

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of youth living with bronchiectasis in New Zealand (NZ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth with bronchiectasis. Key themes were identified using an inductive approach through constant comparative analysis and guided by Thorne's interpretive description (ID). Fifteen young people of mixed ethnicity (nine females and six males) aged between 13 and 23 years participated. Three key themes 'sore and tired', 'life interrupted and 'looking after self' were identified. This paper will focus on 'sore and tired' and its three subthemes which describe the participants symptom experience. While there was variability in physical symptom patterns, cough, soreness and fatigue were prominent features impacting physical, emotional and social aspects of day-to-day life. All identified pervasive and profound fatigue as significant. The identification of prodromal symptoms provides opportunity for greater appreciation of the varied and personal symptom experience of young people with bronchiectasis. Early identification of these symptoms and inclusion within management plans for escalating treatment has the potential to improve outcomes, reducing delays in seeking additional medical management and preventing further exacerbation.