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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Asthma is a chronic disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. Twenty-six million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lifetime. Of the 26 million Americans who have asthma, 10.6 million had an asthma episode in the past 12 months, and 8.6 million are under the age of 18(American Lung Association [ALA], 2001). Children are often deferred from playing sports because of asthma and the associated medical problems. The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of coaches regarding their knowledge of asthma and their management of asthmatic athletes. The methodology for this study was a phenomenological design. The phenomenological point of view questions the way we experience the world. It is a way of thinking about what life experiences are like for people. The task of phenomenology is to reexamine the familiar, what we believe we already know, and to understand by reflectively bringing into awareness what has been taken for granted. The sample consisted of ten coaches: one Hispanic, seven Caucasians, and two black coaches with five holding a college degree and five with no college degree. Semi-structured tape-recorded interviews were conducted in a mutually agreeable place regarding the coaches' experiences, knowledge, and the management of athletes with asthma. Nine coaches stated they had experiences with asthmatic athletes; however, none of the coaches had preparation for the management of athletes with asthma. The coaches expressed concern that they lacked knowledge about their players' health histories. Although, all of the coaches claimed not to be worried, many admitted feeling stressed at the moment they became aware of an asthmatic crisis on the playing field. All coaches demonstrated anxiety, and their lack of knowledge regarding asthma. As the interviews progressed, nine of the coaches requested information regarding asthma and its management. This study found that all coaches lacked preparation and were unaware of essential knowledge to identify and manage asthmatic athletes. Coaches expressed the need to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma, to understand the risks factors, and to acquire the management skills to respond to an asthma episode. Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations were made. The nursing profession can develop educational programs for coaches which will assist them in acquiring a knowledge base that will enable them to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma and management skills for preventing and treating asthma episodes in their asthmatic athletes. This can be done by presenting laminated asthma posters with small asthma manuals describing the essential facts about asthma. Interactive case studies using videos of asthmatic episodes and real-life dilemmas with offered suggestions and problem resolutions could be included for more in-depth training. Further research with a larger sample of both female and male coaches is needed. This study has implications for nursing because the qualitative data can be helpful in formulating a basis for development of adequate and appropriate educational programs for asthmatic athletes, coaches, families and healthcare providers of asthmatic athletes. The study revealed the need for systems' changes in healthcare and in athletics to address the issues of athletes with asthma.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2001.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-55).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Stephanie Judith LaManna. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RC591.L36 2001_LaMannaStefanie ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RC591.L36 2001 ( lcc )
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