The role of direct support professionals in asthma management

Background Respiratory disease is common in people with intellectual disability (ID). The inhaled route is preferred for medication administration in treating respiratory diseases, including asthma. People with ID often need assistance with taking medicines due to cognitive, physical, and sensory im...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of intellectual & developmental disability 2015-10, Vol.40 (4), p.342-353
Main Authors: Davis, Sharon R., Durvasula, Seeta, Merhi, Diana, Young, Paul M., Traini, Daniela, Bosnic-Anticevich, Sinthia Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allied Health Personnel
Asthma
Caregivers
Chronic Illness
direct support professionals
Disease management
Diseases
Drug Therapy
Foreign Countries
inhalers
Intellectual disabilities
Intellectual Disability
medications
nebulisers
Qualitative research
Respiratory diseases
Self Management
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Summary:Background Respiratory disease is common in people with intellectual disability (ID). The inhaled route is preferred for medication administration in treating respiratory diseases, including asthma. People with ID often need assistance with taking medicines due to cognitive, physical, and sensory impairments; in supported accommodation this assistance is provided by direct support professionals (DSPs). Method A qualitative study design was used to explore DSPs' experiences with asthma medication management. Data were collected via in-depth, semistructured, face-to-face or telephone interviews. Results Key findings included the complex balance of duties undertaken by DSPs, and a lack of consistency in asthma management processes across sites. Conclusions This exploratory research suggests that DSPs are involved in asthma management and required to use clinical judgement, but are not provided with education and tools to manage asthma in, and foster correct inhaler use by, their clients. This highlights the need for tailored guidelines that integrate with the principles of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
ISSN:1366-8250
1469-9532
1469-9532
DOI:10.3109/13668250.2015.1041100