Abdullah Alismail1, Cassaundra A Song2, Michael H Terry2, Noha Daher3, Waleed A Almutairi4, Takkin Lo5. 1. Cardiopulmonary Sciences Department, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. aalismail@llu.edu. 2. Respiratory Care Department. 3. School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. 4. Cardiopulmonary Sciences Department, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. 5. Critical Care Department, Loma Linda Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The current variety of medication inhaler devices can be confusing to patients due to the many different delivery systems. Many health-care professionals who prescribe these devices may not be educated properly about the administration techniques for different inhalers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate various health-care providers' knowledge of specific inhaler devices and to assess their ability to retain this knowledge for a minimum period of 3 months. METHODS: This was a prospective study that included 4 different health-care professional groups (physicians, respiratory therapists, registered nurses, and pharmacists). All subjects underwent baseline written and practical tests. A checklist was developed for the practicum test for each inhaler on the correct delivery method. The written examination tested knowledge of 4 different inhaler techniques with true or false questions. Then subjects watched an instructional video that demonstrated the correct method of delivery for each device. Last, subjects were retested on the practicum and written tests after a minimum lapse of 3 months. RESULTS: The distribution of written and practical scores at baseline and postintervention was approximately normal (P > .05). The baseline written scores were significantly different across groups (P = .002). The mean written score of respiratory therapists was significantly higher than those of registered nurses and physicians (P = .02 and .01, respectively). Similarly, the baseline practical scores were significantly different across groups (P < .001). The mean practical score of respiratory therapists was significantly higher compared with those of registered nurses and physicians (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found a suboptimal number of medical professionals who have the proper knowledge base and technical skill to teach different inhaler device techniques. In order to increase the simplicity and effectiveness of delivering inhaler medication, we hope that the industry will provide more uniformity for future inhaler devices.
BACKGROUND: The current variety of medication inhaler devices can be confusing to patients due to the many different delivery systems. Many health-care professionals who prescribe these devices may not be educated properly about the administration techniques for different inhalers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate various health-care providers' knowledge of specific inhaler devices and to assess their ability to retain this knowledge for a minimum period of 3 months. METHODS: This was a prospective study that included 4 different health-care professional groups (physicians, respiratory therapists, registered nurses, and pharmacists). All subjects underwent baseline written and practical tests. A checklist was developed for the practicum test for each inhaler on the correct delivery method. The written examination tested knowledge of 4 different inhaler techniques with true or false questions. Then subjects watched an instructional video that demonstrated the correct method of delivery for each device. Last, subjects were retested on the practicum and written tests after a minimum lapse of 3 months. RESULTS: The distribution of written and practical scores at baseline and postintervention was approximately normal (P > .05). The baseline written scores were significantly different across groups (P = .002). The mean written score of respiratory therapists was significantly higher than those of registered nurses and physicians (P = .02 and .01, respectively). Similarly, the baseline practical scores were significantly different across groups (P < .001). The mean practical score of respiratory therapists was significantly higher compared with those of registered nurses and physicians (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found a suboptimal number of medical professionals who have the proper knowledge base and technical skill to teach different inhaler device techniques. In order to increase the simplicity and effectiveness of delivering inhaler medication, we hope that the industry will provide more uniformity for future inhaler devices.
Authors: John B Zamjahn; Ellen O Beyer; Kelly L Alig; Donald E Mercante; Katherine L Carter; Tina P Gunaldo Journal: Respir Care Date: 2018-01-23 Impact factor: 2.258
Authors: David B Price; Vicky Thomas; P N Richard Dekhuijzen; Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich; Nicolas Roche; Federico Lavorini; Priyanka Raju; Daryl Freeman; Carole Nicholls; Iain R Small; Erika Sims; Guilherme Safioti; Janice Canvin; Henry Chrystyn Journal: BMC Pulm Med Date: 2018-06-28 Impact factor: 3.317