| Adequate information |
Family carers and significant others of people with severe asthma need tailored information regarding:
• Diagnosis, treatment and plan of care (example: when to ring an ambulance, symptom management) • Adverse effects of new treatments • Resuscitation techniques
| Family carers and significant others of people with severe asthma recommended possible solutions including:
Tailored education and discussion with healthcare team regarding the diagnosis, treatment and responses Simplified visual toolkits or leaflets regarding the nature, consequences and outcomes of severe asthma Provision of information in multimedia format or training and symposiums
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| Biopsychosocial needs |
Family carers and significant others of people with severe asthma desire:
Access to needs assessment tools to assess capacity to provide care and support Access to basic psychological and emotional support services Access to local support groups or organisations
Many family carers and significant others of people with severe asthma wanted for more:
Societal awareness and acceptance Understanding of other people's feelings Consciousness of the difficulties and hardships of family carers or significant others of people with severe asthma
| The suggested solutions apply to both support from a healthcare and a societal perspective:
Support from a healthcare perspective:
Provision for an evidenced-based needs assessment tool to help identify and communicate with health professionals about their physical needs Provision for technology-assisted counselling and psychological services Organisation of supportive environments for carers of people with severe asthma Promote support networks for new and long-term carers of people with severe asthma Join online forums or organisations to connect and share experiences Promote self-management
Support from a societal perspective:
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| Carers’ involvement in decision-making |
Family carers and significant others of people with severe asthma desire to:
Participate and be involved in decision-making Engage with competent and compassionate healthcare professionals Access equitable outpatient specialist clinics in a timely manner Equitable and efficient access to specialised clinical tests (example: pulmonary lung function testing)
| Healthcare strategy should include:
Good communication skills especially when delivering critical information Centralised and streamlined referral process to dedicated severe asthma clinics Engagement and promotion of a patient-centred approach Information links to other services that will help carers navigate the system
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