Interviews
breathlessness
The patient interview guide (see Supplementary Box S1 for details) included questions on the patients’ experiences of help seeking for breathlessness and related health care, and the conduct of the cRCT. The clinician interview guide (see Supplementary Box S2 for details) explored diagnosis and breathlessness management, associated challenges, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during this timeframe, and the conduct of the cRCT. Interview data relating to patient experience during lockdown at the start of the pandemic are published elsewhere.Interview guides were developed collaboratively with members of the local patient and public involvement (PPI) group. The PPI group helped with phrasing questions about how/when patients sought help for their breathlessness and their expectations. An iterative approach was taken throughout the interview and analysis process, including reviewing and amending the guide to explore issues arising in earlier interviews. Interviews with patients continued until perceived theoretical saturation; the topic guide was no longer evolving and data were of sufficient depth and complexity around the topic.Two interviewers, who were trained in qualitative methods, conducted interviews face to face or via telephone. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. One interviewer is a physiotherapist and the other has a non-clinical psychology background. Another researcher independently verified consistency of interview practice, communication style, and quality of data obtained by the interviewers.