P67 How community pharmacists can engage, empower and educate adult asthma patients by using data driven care

Abstract

<h3>Introduction and Objectives</h3> Community pharmacists are increasingly being asked to guide adult asthma patients in the management of their condition^1,2. A particular concern is overuse of SABAs, and under-use of preventer inhalers.^{1 2} We therefore examined whether consultations supported by use of data-generating tools could improve self-management. <h3>Methods</h3> I9 pharmacies were involved in this NW London study utilising a model used previously for COPD. Patients were invited opportunistically to a first consultation (FC) plus follow-up (FU) consultation, 3–4 months later. Structured questionnaires were used in combination with discussions with patients, Asthma Control Tests (ACT), CO, Peak Flow (PF) measurements; Patient Medication Records (PMR) and the Asthma Right Care (ARC) SABA slide-rule. <h3>Results</h3> 98 consenting patients attended FC and 71, FU. Some questionnaires were not fully completed. Compared with asthma prevalence data, older patients and females were over-represented. Overall, ethnicity matched census information, but Black, Mixed and Other men were under-represented compared to White and Asian men (P&lt;0.05 for both; χ2). Patient satisfaction evidence included: increased confidence in managing their asthma (67/68FU), and in using inhalers in the right way on the right occasions (67/68FU). Education and support provision included: SABA discussion (all consultations), recommending online inhaler demonstrations (74/98FC); checking inhaler technique (68/69FU); raising PF meter ownership to 96/97FC; raising awareness of Person Asthma Action Plans from 23/98FC and assisting with their completion. Tool value evidence included: reported usefulness of home PF meters for monitoring lung function (55/61FU); record keeping of PF readings (47/68FU); ACT scores for the cohort correlating negatively with patient-reported SABA puffs during the previous week (PPW; FC: Rs = -0.577p&lt;0.0001, FU: Rs = -0.708p&lt;0.0001); and PMR (previous 12-month SABA supply) correlating positively with PPW (FC: Rs = 0.528p&lt;0.00005). No correlation found between ACT and PF or PMR. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Every specific component of the patient consultation was included because of published recommendations¹. There is nevertheless a shortage of real-world evidence of the improvement in self-management that can be achieved by patient engagement, empowerment and education in a community pharmacy setting. All three elements interact, and this study has demonstrated the benefit of including all three. <h3>Reference</h3> https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/opinion/insight/uk-asthma-mortality-is-too-high-but-pharmacy-can-help/20206055.article?firstPass=false https://psnc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PSNC-Briefing-042.19-Pharmacy-Quality-Scheme-Asthma-referrals.pdf