Table 4 Findings of inductive content analysis of inhaler preference responses of interview participants with asthma
Relevant emergent themes (no. of patients reporting) | Clusters within theme (no. of raw mentions) | Relevant quotations to illustrate theme |
|---|---|---|
A – DISKUS (N = 21) | ||
Simpler and one less step (13) | Ease of use (5) | “Simply open, inhale, and close” |
“Easy and fool proof” | ||
Less steps or one step (4) | “One less movement, don’t need to slide that lever over” | |
“It’s one less step” | ||
Simplicity of use (4) | “Simple, we have enough complexity in our lives” | |
“Intuitive, easy to figure out how to use” | ||
Size and ease of handling (10) | Smaller, more compact (7) | “I like the size, it’s smaller” |
Fits hand / grip (5) | “Fits in my hand more comfortably” | |
“I like the grooves so it’s not slippery” | ||
Portability and storage (9) | Carries / packs well (8) | “Small, it fits in my shirt pocket” |
“Easy to carry in a pocket” | ||
Stores well (4) | “It’s easy to store because it stands up” | |
“It takes up less space” | ||
Mouthpiece (8) | Better seal, ensures delivery (6) | “With this mouthpiece I don’t worry about getting my medicine” |
“With lip seal I feel I’m getting the full benefit of the medicine” | ||
Comfortable size/shape (3) | “The shape makes the mouthpiece more comfortable” | |
“Mouthpiece is ergonomically designed” | ||
Counter (7) | Size (5) | “I like the size of the numbers” |
“Main reason is the big counter” | ||
Easy to see (3) | “I don’t have to squint to see the numbers” | |
Color (4) | Bland / dislike (3) | “The color doesn’t stand out” |
Diskus is better color (1) | “Purple is easier to find and helps me to remember to use” | |
B – MDI (N = 10) | ||
Coordination (8) | No timing inhalation (4) | “I don’t have to worry about timing” |
“I have more control over getting the medication” | ||
Does not propel the medication (4) | “It doesn’t shoot out the medicine” | |
“I like the propellant because it pushes the medicine where it needs to be” | ||
Mouthpiece (5) | Good fit / good seal (3) | “Fit my mouth well” |
“Fit well” | ||
Mouthpiece size (2) | “It’s not a bulky size” | |
Ease of Use (5) | Ease (4) | “Very easy to use” |
“Well thought out to make it easy” | ||
Intuitive (1) | “Very easy and obvious what to do” | |
Dose counter (4) | Plan and keep track of doses (2) | “Counter helps me to plan ahead” |
Easy to read counter (2) | “I like the counter is better, it’s bigger and easier to read” | |
One piece cover (3) | One piece construction (2) | “Cover is attached and I can’t lose it” |
Sanitary (1) | “Covers the mouthpiece to keep it clean” | |