A cross-sectional study of pre- and posttraining evaluation of inhaler use technique among outpatients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a tertiary care hospital in India.

Context: Management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes use of inhalers as an integral component of drug delivery. Awareness about inhaler devices along with demonstration of the usage of inhaler technique aids in the optimization of therapeutic outcome.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the correct use of inhaler technique following pre- and posttraining sessions for the management of COPD and asthma among pulmonary outpatients at a tertiary care hospital.

Settings: This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients diagnosed with asthma or COPD and prescribed with inhaler medication in the form of pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), MDI with spacer, or dry powder inhaler (DPI).

Subjects and methods: The inhaler device use by the patients was assessed initially, followed by a demonstration on inhaler device technique, and reassessed post training using a checklist.

Statistical analysis: Comparison of the median total score of pretraining and posttraining inhaler technique was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Out of 144 patients, 55.6%, 27.7%, and 16.7% of them were prescribed pMDI, MDI with spacer, and DPI, respectively. Post inhaler technique training, about 79.2% of the patients were able to demonstrate the inhaler technique correctly compared to 52.1% prior to training. A statistically significant difference in the median score of inhaler technique has been observed before and after training.

Conclusions: This study reports a significant improvement in the correct use of inhaler technique post training. In addition, the most frequent error among inhaler users was revealed to be in the breath actuation.