Invisibility of breathlessness in clinical consultations: a cross-sectional, national online survey

Kochovska, Slavica; Chang, Sungwon; Ferreira, Diana; Brunelli, Vanessa N.; Luckett, Tim; Morgan, Lucy; Johnson, Miriam J.; Ekström, Magnus; Currow, David C.

Abstract

Breathlessness diminishes the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people living long-term with this disabling symptom [1]. Identifying its impacts on patients and their families helps to inform appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological management [2, 3]. A randomised controlled trial suggests that clinicians are less likely to identify or manage chronic breathlessness than chronic pain [4]. Previous population studies estimate 9.5% of adults experience breathlessness [5], with 1 in 100 individuals being seriously impacted daily [6]. We conducted a population study aimed at identifying the proportion of people with breathlessness who report this symptom in clinical consultations. If discussed, we explored whether patients or clinicians (physicians; nurses) initiated the conversation and, if not discussed, whether patients would welcome such discussions.

Citation

Kochovska, S., Chang, S., Ferreira, D., Brunelli, V. N., Luckett, T., Morgan, L., Johnson, M. J., Ekström, M., & Currow, D. C. (2022). Invisibility of breathlessness in clinical consultations: a cross-sectional, national online survey. European respiratory journal, 60(5), Article 2201603. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01603-2022

• Journal Article Type: Letter
• Acceptance Date: Sep 27, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 6, 2022
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 3, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 7, 2024
• Journal: European Respiratory Journal
• Print ISSN: 0903-1936
• Electronic ISSN: 1399-3003
• Publisher: European Respiratory Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: 2201603
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01603-2022
• Keywords: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4111624