Face-to-face Training as an Effective Approach for Instructing Rotahaler Technique in Newly Diagnosed Cases of Asthma and COPD: a Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of Nepal Medical Association 2015-06, Vol.53 (198), p.150-153
• Main Authors: Ramesh Sharma Poudel, Shakti Shrestha, Rano Mal Piryani, Aastha Prajapati, Dipendra Khatiwada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0028-2715; 1815-672X

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of face-to-face training for instructing rotahaler technique in newly diagnosed cases of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted on twenty patients who were prescribed rotahaler for the first time. Patients received face-to-face training on rotahaler technique from pharmacist using GINA guidelines. The patients rotahaler technique was assessed after two weeks of training and scored one for correct and zero for incorrect steps. Descriptive statistics was performed. Results: The mean age of the study population was 48.85±20.49 years. Eleven (55%) patients were females and 13 (65%) were formally uneducated. Fourteen patients (70%) were able to perform all the steps correctly giving overall median score of 8 (7-8). Conclusions: Face-to-face training seems to be effective approach for instructing rotahaler technique in asthma and COPD patients. Keywords: asthma; COPD; face-to-face training; inhaler technique; pharmacist.