Exploring the Priorities for Home Self-Management Among Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease: A Mixed-Methods Approach Using Q-Methodology

Aim: This study aims to analyze the self-management needs of patients with interstitial lung disease, clarify the types and characteristics of their needs, and provide a scientific basis for nursing staff to formulate personalized continuing care plans. Method: The Q-methodology was adopted in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 13 patients with ILD and systematic literature retrieval were performed to qualitatively explore and summarize patients’ authentic home self-management needs. The Q-set of representative statement items was further established based on the integrated results of interviews and literature analysis. Subsequently, another 15 patients with ILD were enrolled as the P-set to complete the Q-sort ranking of all statement items. By-person factor analysis was conducted to extract potential self-management demand patterns and refine the typology and core characteristics of patients’ self-management needs. Result: Factor analysis identified four common factors, representing four types of home self-management needs in interstitial lung disease patients. These types differ in symptom management, information preferences, and psychological rehabilitation needs, while sharing core common needs. Conclusions: Patients with interstitial lung diseases have both common and individual self-management needs, with no universal model. Nurses should develop personalized continuing care plans to improve care precision and adaptability.