TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions on Home-Administration of Biologics in the Context of Severe Asthma
T2 - An International Qualitative Study
AU - Flokstra-de Blok, Bertine
AU - Kocks, Janwillem
AU - Wouters, Hans
AU - Arling, Chantal
AU - Chatelier, Josh
AU - Douglass, Jo
AU - Heaney, Liam G
AU - Holmes, Joshua
AU - Humbert, Marc
AU - Kolanowski, Mary
AU - Landsman, Jeanet J A
AU - Lugogo, Njira
AU - Malpass, Alice
AU - Meijer, Jiska
AU - Metz, Boyd
AU - de Mul, Bibicha
AU - Postma, Frank
AU - Leving, Marika
N1 - Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - BACKGROUND: Biologics are an effective therapy for severe asthma. Home administration of biologics by patients is likely to facilitate their accessibility. Yet little is known about patients' and health care providers' (HCPs) perceptions regarding home administration of biologics.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to create more insight into the perceptions and experiences of patients and HCPs regarding home administration of biologics in the context of the treatment of severe asthma.METHODS: A qualitative international study was performed in the Netherlands, United States, Australia, and United Kingdom. In each country, 2 focus groups were held with potential/recent and long-term users of biologics at home. Prior to the focus groups, patients were prompted with themes on online forums. For triangulation purposes, interviews were held with HCPs to discuss salient findings from forums and focus groups. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: In total, 75 patients participated in the forums, of which 40 participated in the focus groups. Furthermore, 12 HCPs were interviewed. The following overarching themes were identified: living with severe asthma; practical aspects of using biologics; the role of HCPs regarding biologics; social support from family, friends, and others; effectiveness of biologics and other treatments; side effects of biologics.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that, for those using biologics for severe asthma, the benefits of home administration of biologics usually outweigh inconvenience and side effects. Guided practice, accessible support contact, and monitoring including social support should be central in the transition from hospital to home administration of asthma biologics.
AB - BACKGROUND: Biologics are an effective therapy for severe asthma. Home administration of biologics by patients is likely to facilitate their accessibility. Yet little is known about patients' and health care providers' (HCPs) perceptions regarding home administration of biologics.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to create more insight into the perceptions and experiences of patients and HCPs regarding home administration of biologics in the context of the treatment of severe asthma.METHODS: A qualitative international study was performed in the Netherlands, United States, Australia, and United Kingdom. In each country, 2 focus groups were held with potential/recent and long-term users of biologics at home. Prior to the focus groups, patients were prompted with themes on online forums. For triangulation purposes, interviews were held with HCPs to discuss salient findings from forums and focus groups. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: In total, 75 patients participated in the forums, of which 40 participated in the focus groups. Furthermore, 12 HCPs were interviewed. The following overarching themes were identified: living with severe asthma; practical aspects of using biologics; the role of HCPs regarding biologics; social support from family, friends, and others; effectiveness of biologics and other treatments; side effects of biologics.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that, for those using biologics for severe asthma, the benefits of home administration of biologics usually outweigh inconvenience and side effects. Guided practice, accessible support contact, and monitoring including social support should be central in the transition from hospital to home administration of asthma biologics.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.04.015
DO - 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.04.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 35487370
SN - 2213-2198
VL - 10
SP - 2312-2323.e2
JO - The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
JF - The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
IS - 9
ER -