Patient and public involvement (PPI) to inform a survey on airways clearance treatments in bronchiectasis

Introduction: Airways Clearance Treatments (ACT) in respiratory physiotherapy are highlighted as a key research priority by both experts and people with bronchiectasis (1). Current practice is unclear. We are conducting a survey to determine current practice in Northern Ireland (NI). Patient and public involvement (PPI) is key to ensure survey content, format and delivery are optimised. Methods: Two focus groups (5 patients, 3 physiotherapists treating people with bronchiectasis) and 5 semi-structured interviews (2 patients, 5 physiotherapists) were conducted using a schedule of questions pre-prepared by the project team and a patient advisory group member. Audio recordings were transcribed and grouped into themes using template analysis (2). Themes were used to generate a list of updates to the draft patient and physiotherapist surveys. Results: The following themes emerged: Patient survey: access to and outcomes for physiotherapy, ACT dose, ACT choice, barriers to ACT, support for ACT and feasibility of an online survey. Physiotherapy survey: factors influencing choice of ACT, initial ACT prescription, follow-up for ACT, barriers to ACT delivery, current ACT service delivery, concomitant therapies, outcomes from ACT, ACT dose, technology and survey engagement. Substantial updates were made to the patient (n=24 updates) and physiotherapy survey (n=52 updates), including amendments to current questions, addition of new questions and changes to survey delivery plan. Conclusion: PPI Patient and public involvement and engagement is essential to ensure survey content, format and delivery are optimised. 1. Aliberti et al Eur Respir J. 2016;48(3):632-647. 2. King et al Sage; 2012.