ABSTRACT
Objective: Although the inhalers are the preferred method of medications delivery, evidences suggest that many patients are unable to use their
inhalers effectively due to improper technique so patients must know the right way of their inhaler use. The aim of the study is to assess the patient’s
ability to use their inhalers properly, identify the most common error made, assess the benefit of single education session, compare the property of the
use between the primary and secondary clinics patients, determine which type of the inhaler devices is associated with more errors, and to identify
the association between the inhaler technique and the disease control.
Methods: Non-randomized interventional study was done on 100 inhaler users of three inhaler types (metered-dose inhaler [p MDI],
Turbuhaler, or Handihaler) for chronic respiratory diseases. Inhaler technique was evaluated by a scoring system before and after single
session of training.
Results: It had been shown that the current education about inhalers techniques was not sufficient. The response to single session of education was
higher with high level of education, urban area, and specialized respiratory center. Better disease control with the better score. After training, the
younger patients have higher score.
Conclusion: We conclude that we need to stress on the most reported defect, metered-dose inhaler had the lowest mean score; therefore, it needs
more training. Furthermore, single class of training can be beneficial but need follow-up to see if this effect can be maintained.