What means a quality professional–patient relationship from the asthmatic patients’ perspective? A narrative review of their needs and expectations

Abstract

Introduction: Poor treatment adherence among asthmatic patients currently remains a public health challenge. One of the most quoted determinants is the quality of the professional–patient relationship although it has clearly not been fully described. Purpose: This study aims at deeply exploring asthmatic patients’ needs and expectations about the accompaniment proposed by their healthcare professionals. Methods: A rigorous narrative review was performed. Results: According to patients, what they expect from professionals can be split into eight themes: getting exhaustive information, relying on an available healthcare professional, being more involved into life with one’s asthma, being accompanied by a multidisciplinary team, being respected in one’s uniqueness, being cared through a humanist approach, feeling the professional is skilled and Other needs. Discussion and conclusion: Asthmatic patients’ needs have little evolved in 20 years illustrating that if they are met, that would positively affect the way patients want to be followed by healthcare professionals and so, that would increase their treatment adherence. Several recommendations such as setting up a doctor – asthma nurse practitioner binomial or studying a concrete care pathway may help in fulfilling these needs. Finally, this research opens the way to other studies since similar results have been found in populations suffering from other chronic diseases than asthma.