BACKGROUND

The INhaler Compliance Assessment (INCA) device is an electronic monitoring device (EMD) that assesses both patient's adherence and inhaler technique (IT). This study aimed, first, to assess the value of using the INCA device as an objective measure during medicine use review (MUR) consultations provided by community pharmacists (CPs) on patients' adherence and IT. Second, we aimed to explore patients' perceptions about the INCA device.

METHODS

A mixed methods approach was used, involving two phases. Phase one was a service evaluation in independent community pharmacies in London with a before-and-after study design. The service included provision of an MUR consultation to asthma and COPD patients using objective feedback about adherence and IT generated with the INCA device. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS. Phase two involved semi-structured interviews with respiratory patients. Thematic analysis was performed to generate key findings.

MAIN FINDINGS

Eighteen patients participated in the study (12 COPD and 6 asthma). The results showed significant improvement in the INCA actual adherence from 30% to 68% ( = 0.001) and significant reduction in IT error rate from 51% to 12% ( = 0.002) after conducting the service. Analysis of the interviews revealed patients' positive attitudes in terms of the perceived benefits of the technology and a desire for future use and recommendation for others. Patients had also positive attitudes towards the consultations provided.

CONCLUSION

Embedding an objective measure about adherence and IT during CPs' consultations showed a significant improvement in patients' adherence and IT and was accepted by patients as well.