Evaluation of Knowledge and Skills of Using Inhalation Techniques among Patients with Pulmonary Diseases

Background: The use of one or more inhalation devices is frequently the most efficient method for managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In contrast to oral therapies, inhalation therapy requires the use of equipment that patients must learn to self-administer. The majority of inhaled medications (MDI) could be administered using a standard metered dose inhaler until about ten or twenty years ago. Every medication must now be given using a particular device that the patient must learn to use. All asthmatic and COPD patients should learn how to use the device correctly because improper use will lead to ineffective treatment. Objective: This study's objective is to evaluate the knowledge and skills of COPD and bronchial asthma (BA) patients at Queen Alia Military Hospital (QAMH) in the Royal Medical Services regarding the inhaling technique. Method: An observational study was conducted on COPD or BA patients with known or confirmed diagnoses who attended the outpatient internal medicine or pulmonology clinics in QAMH. Age, sex, education, disease duration, and the type of device being used, are among the demographic and baseline clinical data. A device-specific checklist was used to conduct the evaluation, which covered the MDI, Breezhaler, Respimat, and Turbuhaler. A scoring system was used in this study; a successfully completed step received a score of 1, whereas an incorrect or poorly performed step will receive a score of 0. Scores of seven or higher with an effective demonstration of the crucial stages were deemed "excellent," scores of five or higher with an effective demonstration of the crucial stages were deemed "moderate," and scores of four or lower with any ineffective demonstration of the crucial stages were deemed "poor." Results: The mean age of the 200 participants was 51 years (SD: 14.2), and 122 (61%) of them were men. COPD (n=118, 59% of the respiratory conditions) was the most prevalent. The most frequently used ........