A qualitative investigation of the factors influencing the uptake of noninvasive ventilation among Australians with motor neurone disease

Purpose Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) improves quality of life and extends survival for people with motor neurone disease (pwMND); however, uptake in Australia remains modest. This study explored the factors that influence the uptake of NIV from the perspectives of pwMND, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.Methods Thirty-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with pwMND (n = 8), family caregivers of pwMND (n = 4), and healthcare professionals (n = 27). A two-stage deductive-inductive analysis was performed to identify common themes that influence the uptake of NIV in MND.Results Twenty-six key influencing factors were identified, relating to three major themes: influences on the pwMND’s decision to trial NIV; healthcare professional knowledge, beliefs and behaviors; and inequity and lack of responsiveness in the healthcare system. Inductive analysis also identified a fourth theme, disparities in NIV uptake. Within this theme, women, older people, and First Nations Australians were acknowledged as demographic groups experiencing challenges to NIV uptake that warrant further investigation.Conclusion This research identified multiple modifiable factors influencing the uptake of NIV that can inform the design of targeted interventions to reduce inequitable access to NIV, increase uptake, and optimize quality of life for pwMND.