Factors influencing physiotherapists’ decision making regarding airway clearance treatments (ACTs) for patients with bronchiectasis
| Factors | Mean rank of importance |
| 1. Influencing choice of ACTs | |
| My knowledge and experience of using the ACT | 4.8# |
| Availability and access to the ACT | 5.8# |
| Comorbidities of the person with bronchiectasis | 6# |
| Understanding and competence of the person with bronchiectasis | 3.8# |
| Time allocated to the individual's appointment | 8.2# |
| Preferences of the person with bronchiectasis for certain ACTs | 4.4# |
| Symptoms of the person with bronchiectasis | 2.4# |
| Disease stability of the person with bronchiectasis | 5.1# |
| Disease severity of the person with bronchiectasis | 5.1# |
| Local tariffs or prescriptions/funding available for equipment | 9.5# |
| 2. Content for a first visit for ACTs | |
| Providing information about ACTs and why they are important | 2.3¶ |
| Performing a physiotherapy chest assessment | 1.7¶ |
| Teaching an ACT | 3.1¶ |
| Setting a personal action plan for ACTs with the patient | 4.6¶ |
| Having enough time for the first appointment | 4.7¶ |
| Providing information about other physiotherapy treatments in addition to ACTs | 5.5¶ |
| Providing information about support groups | 7.7¶ |
| Providing contact details and instruction on how to access a physiotherapist in the future | 6.3¶ |
| 3. Content for a first follow-up visit | |
| Patient access to a physiotherapist who is specialised in bronchiectasis | 2.2+ |
| Patient access to a physiotherapist who works with respiratory patients who is not a specialist | 2+ |
| Patient visit in a dedicated bronchiectasis clinic | 2.8+ |
| Patient visit in a location of their choice | 3+ |
| 4. Priorities of a follow-up visit | |
| Symptoms of the person with bronchiectasis | 2§ |
| Comorbidities of the person with bronchiectasis | 4.7§ |
| Understanding and competence of the person with bronchiectasis with their ACT | 3§ |
| Disease stability of the person with bronchiectasis | 2.2§ |
| Disease severity of the person with bronchiectasis | 3.3§ |
| Local tariffs or prescriptions/funding available for equipment | 5.9§ |
#: 1=most important, 10=least important; ¶: 1=most important, 8=least important; +: 1=most important, 4=least important; §: 1=most important, 6=least important.