HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS` KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS RELATED TO INHALER MEDICATIONS TECHNIQUES AT MANSOURA CHEST DISEASE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background:Inhaled therapy is the cornerstone of asthma management in that it optimizes the delivery of the medication to the site of action. The effectiveness of inhaled therapy is affected by the correct choice of the device and proper inhalation technique. Misuse of an inhaler medication is common in clinical practice, and proper training of patients and health care providers is important. The aim was to assess health care provider`s knowledge and skills related to inhaler medications techniques at Mansoura Chest Disease Hospital. Method the study use a descriptive exploratory research design. Setting: The study was conducted at Mansoura Chest Disease Hospital .The study sample: was all available health care providers( 102 nurse and 40 physician) affiliated to the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Structured Interview Questionnaire 1) Socio-Demographic characteristic 2) health care provider`s knowledge related to inhaler medications 3) Inhaler medications checklist. Consists of three parts꞉ 3.1:Metered dose inhaler (MDI) checklist. 3.2:Accuhaler Inhaler Technique (Diskus) checklist.3.3:aerolizer /Handhaler Technique checklist. Results, showed that the majority (90.2%) of the nurses reported that they didn’t receive any training courses regarding inhaler whereas, more than two fifths (42.5%) of physician received. There was a significant relation between the participant age, years of experience, and training courses. There was a highly statistical significant relation between nurses and physician and their total level of knowledge and skills. Recommendation, study recommended that development of educational program for doctors and nurses to improve their knowledge and skills regarding inhalers to prevent misuse of inhalers.