A qualitative evaluation of a pre-consultation guide intended to promote the participation of young people in asthma review consultations

ObjectiveYoung people's (age range 14-19 years) participation in consultations with health professionals can be limited. There has been little research into pre-consultation support for young people. This study evaluated a pre-consultation guide developed to promote young people's participation in asthma review consultations.MethodsA pre-consultation guide was evaluated in qualitative exit interviews with 24 young people and 9 primary care nurses in the United Kingdom.ResultsYoung people found the guide to be reassuring and supportive; peer written content, particularly example questions, helped to develop confidence and an intention to participate. Nurses suggested the guide could be a useful tool to aid young people's communication of asthma-related experiences.ConclusionQuotations from young people were highlighted as of particular value. Self-efficacy can be increased through observing how peers perform. Confidence and intention to change behavior are linked with actual behavior change. Future research should explore the impact of the pre-consultation guide on increased self-efficacy, developing an intention to change behavior and whether this is acted upon.Practice implicationsUsed as a tool in a consultation may support change in practice nurses' consulting style and enable young people's participation.