The pharmacists' ability to use pressurized metered-dose inhalers with a spacer device and factors affecting it

TOPAL E., ARGA M., Ozmen A. H., Kursun M. A., Ilhan O. A., Alici M.

JOURNAL OF ASTHMA, vol.58, no.5, pp.659-664, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 58 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1731823
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF ASTHMA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.659-664
  • Keywords: Asthma, children, pharmacists, spacer device, skill, ability, COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS, INHALATION TECHNIQUE, ASTHMA, KNOWLEDGE, CHILDREN
  • Inonu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacists' ability to use pMDIs with a spacer device and the factors that affect this ability. Method: Face to face interviews were conducted with the pharmacists. A nine item questionnaire was completed and the checklist for how to use pMDIs with a spacer device was filled out. Results: A total of 307 pharmacists voluntarily participated in this study. Fifty-six (18.2%) of the pharmacists stated that they did not know how to use pMDIs with a spacer device. These pharmacists were excluded and remaining 251 pharmacists included in the study. Only 100 (39.8%) pharmacists demonstrated all of the inhaler spacer device usage steps correctly. The step in which pharmacists made the most mistakes was "take 5-6 deep and slow breaths, hold for 10 s and slow breaths." Those pharmacists who were more likely to correctly use pMDIs with a spacer device were younger (p = 0.023), had dispensed more asthma medications per day (p < 0.001), had dispensed more asthma medications per day for patients younger than six years of age (p = 0.016), and sold inhaler spacer devices at their pharmacy (p = 0.042). Conclusion: Approximately one third of the pharmacists in the current study were able to correctly demonstrate all of the steps for proper usage of pMDIs with a spacer device, which indicates that pharmacists should be included in the training program and be provided continuous training on the use of pMDIs with a spacer device.