Effectiveness of Various Methods of Teaching Proper Inhaler Technique.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of 4 different instructional interventions in training proper inhaler technique.

DESIGN

Randomized, noncrossover trial.

SETTING

Health fair and indigent clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Inhaler-naive adult volunteers who spoke and read English.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects were assigned to complete the following: (1) read a metered dose inhaler (MDI) package insert pamphlet, (2) watch a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) video demonstrating MDI technique, (3) watch a YouTube video demonstrating MDI technique, or (4) receive direct instruction of MDI technique from a pharmacist.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Inhaler use competency (completion of all 7 prespecified critical steps).

RESULTS

Of the 72 subjects, 21 (29.2%) demonstrated competent inhaler technique. A statistically significant difference between pharmacist direct instruction and the remaining interventions, both combined ( P < .0001) and individually ( P ≤ .03), was evident. No statistically significant difference was detected among the remaining 3 intervention groups. Critical steps most frequently omitted or improperly performed were exhaling before inhalation and holding of breath after inhalation.

CONCLUSION

A 2-minute pharmacist counseling session is more effective than other interventions in successfully educating patients on proper inhaler technique. Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in reducing the implications of improper inhaler use.