Abstract
Background: Currently, more than 10 types of inhaler devices are available in the asthma treatment. The prevalence of these inhalers has resulted in a wide range of choices for clinicians but in confusion for both medical staffs and patients regarding how to use inhaler devices correctly.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of an educational program for community pharmacists to provide repeated instructions of correct and consistent inhalation technique to asthma patients.
Methods: Since 2007, Kitano hospital and Kita-ku Pharmaceutical Association Osaka have provided community-pharmacists with a regular educational program on correct inhaler use once a year. Certified participants have instructed asthma patients to use inhalers with proper technique at regular intervals (at least 6 months). We examined the frequency of asthma exacerbations, adherence to inhalation regimen using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, and health status assessed by St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in asthma patients before starting the program and after four years.
Results: Usable information was obtained from 146 asthma patients at baseline and 143 those at 4 years. Compared with baseline values, significant decreases were found in the frequency of asthma exacerbations (1.4±1.6 vs 1.0±1.4 times/yr, p=0.042) and emergency room visits (0.5±1.0 vs 0.2±0.5 times/yr, p=0.004). Adherence to the inhalation regimen significantly increased (p=0.041), but SGRQ scores unchanged.
Conclusion: A regular program which educates community-pharmacists about how to instruct patients in proper inhaler use may improve asthma control and adherence to patients' inhalation regimen.
- © 2011 ERS