Table 5 Factors influencing choice of ACTs (n (%); N = 67)
Factors | Extremely important | Very Important | Moderately important | Slightly important | Not at all important |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient clinical presentation e.g. sputum amount enquiries | 48 (72) | 16 (24) | 3 (4) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Amount of oxygen/ventilatory support the patient is requiring | 38 (57) | 23 (34) | 3 (4) | 3 (4) | 0 (0) |
Presence/absence of precautions/contra-indications | 48 (72) | 15 (22) | 3 (4) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) |
Patient preference | 33 (49) | 29 (44) | 5 (7) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Patients degree of dyspnoea or work of breathing | 37 (55) | 26 (39) | 4 (6) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Personal experience/preference | 14 (21) | 30 (45) | 17 (25) | 4 (6) | 2 (3) |
Medical staff’s preference | 0 (0) | 8 (12) | 19 (28) | 23 (34) | 17 (25) |
Department/hospital policy | 6 (10) | 12 (18) | 20 (30) | 21 (32) | 5 (8) |
Highest level of evidence supporting a particular airway clearance technique | 23 (34) | 29 (43) | 12 (18) | 3 (5) | 0 (0) |
Influence from peers with experience in this area | 7 (10) | 30 (46) | 19 (28) | 7 (10) | 4 (6) |
Access to resources/equipment | 23 (34) | 32 (48) | 12 (18) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Recent course attendance | 5 (7) | 14 (21) | 21 (31) | 17 (25) | 9 (13) |
Cost effectiveness | 16 (24) | 27 (40) | 21 (31) | 3 (5) | 0 (0) |
Time effectiveness | 17 (25) | 29 (43) | 18 (27) | 3 (5) | 0 (0) |
Taught at university | 1 (2) | 7 (10) | 11 (17) | 16 (25) | 31 (46) |