Exploring the Priorities for Home Self-Management Among Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease: A Mixed-Methods Approach Using Q-Methodology.

Aim: This study aims to analyze the self-management needs of patients with interstitial lung disease, clarify the types and characteristics of their needs, and provide a scientific basis for nursing staff to formulate personalized continuing care plans. Method: The Q-methodology was adopted in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 13 patients with ILD and systematic literature retrieval were performed to qualitatively explore and summarize patients' authentic home self-management needs. The Q-set of representative statement items was further established based on the integrated results of interviews and literature analysis. Subsequently, another 15 patients with ILD were enrolled as the P-set to complete the Q-sort ranking of all statement items. By-person factor analysis was conducted to extract potential self-management demand patterns and refine the typology and core characteristics of patients' self-management needs. Result: Factor analysis identified four common factors, representing four types of home self-management needs in interstitial lung disease patients. These types differ in symptom management, information preferences, and psychological rehabilitation needs, while sharing core common needs.

Conclusions

Patients with interstitial lung diseases have both common and individual self-management needs, with no universal model. Nurses should develop personalized continuing care plans to improve care precision and adaptability.