Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Inhaler Technique Proficiency in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Single-Center Quality Improvement Study

Abstract

Albeit inhalation therapy is the cornerstone in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, inhaler technique is rarely evaluated, and training materials are often insufficient. In this single-center study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a teaching session complemented by a flyer on inhaler technique in COPD patients and to evaluate the perceived quality of the flyer. A total of 30 participants with stable COPD who had never used a soft mist inhaler before (Respimat®, Boehringer Ingelheim) received a brief teaching session on proper inhaler technique complemented by a flyer (visit 1). The teaching intervention was completed by a pulmonologist. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COPD were collected by a questionnaire, and the ability to properly handle the inhaler was assessed. After 14 days, inhaler handling was re-evaluated, and patients were asked to rate the flyer (visit 2). After the initial training, proper inhaler handling was achieved in 80.0% of patients. Inhaler proficiency was maintained after 14 days (83.0% of the patients used the Respimat® correctly, p-value > 0.99). The flyer was considered at least good by 27 patients (90.0%). This study indicated that the administration of an educational intervention resulted in persistent good competence in inhaler technique at a 14-day follow-up.