How patients manage asthma

Abstract

In this paper we discuss how patients cope with asthma and suggest that individuals use medical advice selectively in a manner they consider appropriate to their personal and social circumstances. Use of medical services is influenced by patients' perception of the effectiveness of medical therapies, concern about the long-term use of drugs, access to alternative therapies, support and advice from others and the need to make particular sense of living with a chronic disease. Some people are reluctant to use medical services under any circumstances.