Inhaler technique and training in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are both common conditions with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Inhaled therapy for these conditions has a number of advantages over systemic therapy, including reduced side effects and quicker onset of action. The effective use of inhaled therapy is critically dependent upon the nature of the drug-delivery system and the ability of the patient to use the system correctly. There are a wide number of inhaler devices on the market, each with positive and negative aspects. A crucial part of patient care is to ensure that the choice of inhaler device for the individual is an effective therapy. There are a number of interventions that can help with the choice of inhaler device and also improve the ability of the patient to use inhaled therapy. Inhaler technique training needs to be a cornerstone of the care of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to ensure optimal therapy.