Novel use of patient-derived vignettes to foster self-efficacy in an asthma self-management workbook.

Overview

This article describes the development of an interactive self-management workbook to increase asthma knowledge and self-efficacy. Its format encourages readers to write in their own personal experiences and perspectives. The knowledge component was developed from standard materials and organized into thematic chapters. The self-efficacy component was developed from interviews with patients in the outpatient setting, emergency room, and hospital; it consists of three sections explaining why confidence is necessary to be an effective self-manager and offers techniques to increase confidence. The component's cornerstone is vignettes of patients describing what triggers their asthma and what behaviors they use to successfully manage it. This novel approach to fostering self-efficacy allows patients to see themselves in others' success stories. Although not a substitute for self-management courses, the workbook promotes self-management by offering a practical and readily available option to in-person instruction and peer contact, which are accessible to only a small number of patients.