Perspectives and Experiences of Consumers and Bicultural Health Educators on the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma

Morbidity and mortality due to Asthma remains high Australia-wide, especially in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, underscored by low health literacy and a lack of access to culture specific asthma care. A nurse-led asthma education programme incorporating Bicultural Health Educators to improve asthma outcomes was trialled in three of the communities most severely affected during a thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This study aimed to uncover unique asthma management challenges affecting these communities from a consumer perspective. A qualitative explorative design was applied, and 47 participants with asthma from Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, and Indian communities were interviewed. The participants completed two asthma education sessions, six weeks apart, with an Asthma Nurse Educator supported by a Bicultural Health Educator. At the first session, participants completed a questionnaire and undertook a narrative interview in which they shared their views on their asthma healthcare journey. Bicultural Health Educators recorded responses to open questions about perspectives and experiences of their journey, which were coded and thematically analysed. Key factors impacting on asthma management from the consumer and Bicultural Health Educator perspective included limited knowledge and understanding of asthma and its management, difficulties with inhaler technique and difficulty navigating asthma care in the community. Culturally-driven attitudes towards asthma management, along with low educational literacy levels also played a significant role. The study identified factors impacting asthma management in the Sri Lankan, Indian and Vietnamese communities in West Melbourne. Incorporating these insights can inform the delivery of asthma care and education to improve asthma outcomes for patients.