Role of Community Pharmacist in Asthma Management: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Study Participants (n = 416)

		Frequency (%) or Median (25–75 Percentiles)
Age		28 (28–29)
Years of your work experience		4 (4–5)
Weekly working hours		48 (48–50)
Average number of patients served a day		35 (35–40)
Average number of prescriptions dispensed per day		10 (10–15)
Number of pharmacists working with		2 (2–3)
Number of non-pharmacists employees in pharmacies		1 (1–2)
Average time spent with each patient (in minutes)		5 (5–8)
Sex	Female	215 (51.7%)
	Male	201 (48.3%)
Education background	Pharm D	63 (15.3%)
	Pharmacy	350 (84.7%)
Attainment of Post graduate degree	Yes	124 (29.8%)
	No	292 (70.2%)
Location of pharmacy	Amman	149 (35.8%)
	Others	267 (64.2%)
Pharmacy type	Chain community pharmacy	145 (34.9%)
	Hospital pharmacy	27 (6.5%)
	Independent community pharmacy	244 (58.7%)
Access to the internet	No	7 (1.7%)
	Yes	406 (98.3%)

Figure 1 Sources of information for asthma management.

Table 2 Knowledge About Asthma Management (n = 416)

	Correct Frequency (%)
Using Steroid inhalation can significantly affect child’s growth	133 (32%)
Asthma treatment guidelines no longer recommends short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) treatment alone. It does not recommend the use of SABA as first choices, it recommends using long-acting beta2-agonist (formoterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (Budesonide) as first choice reliever of symptoms in asthma adults.	212 (51%)
SABA-only therapy raises the danger of life-threatening exacerbations and deaths due to asthma	124 (29.8%)
To reduce the risk of infection transmission during epidemics, patients should avoid using nebulizers as much as possible.	141 (33.9%)
Physiological factors (eg Pneumonia, liver disease, viral infection) affect theophylline drug concentration	269 (64.7%)
Factors like Poor technique, non-adherence lead to poor asthma control	361 (86.8%)
Asthma can be triggered by different factors (eg, Sinus infections, allergies and GERD)	350 (84.1%)

Table 3 Attitudes Toward Asthma Management and Counseling (n = 416)

	Median (25–75 Percentiles)
The pharmacist is an essential member of the asthma care team	4 (3–4)
I believe I am able to manage asthma patient appropriately	4 (3–4)
To be a competent asthma educator, pharmacists must participate in additional continuing medical education programs	4 (4–5)
Asthmatic patients may benefit from disease monitoring with peak flow meter.	3 (3–4)
Appropriate asthmatic patient counseling has a significant impact on asthma management success.	4 (3–4)

Table 4 Practice of Asthma Management Counseling (n = 416)

Item	Median (25–75 Percentiles)
Shake the inhaler and remove the cap	4 (3–5)
Breathe out slowly and completely	4 (3–5)
Hold the inhaler in upright position	4 (3–5)
Insert the mouthpiece into mouth between closed lips	4 (3–5)
Depress the canister once	4(3–5)
At the same time breathe in slowly for deep inhalation	4 (3–5)
Remove the inhaler with closed lips	4 (3–5)
Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds	4 (3–5)
Wait for 20 to 30 seconds before starting the second puff	4 (2–5)
I conduct a thorough history examination for asthma	3 (2–4)
I know how to identify modifiable risk factors for poor asthma outcomes	3 (3–4)
I check to see if the asthmatic patient has a written asthma action plan	3 (2–4)
I examine my asthmatic patient’s inhalation technique	3 (2–4)
I ask asthmatic patients about their asthma treatment preferences	3 (3–4)
I ask asthmatic patient about any treatment side effects they may have	4 (3–5)
I ensure that asthmatic patients follow all medical instructions, including the use of inhalation techniques.	4 (3–5)
I evaluate asthmatic patients regarding their adherence to their prescribed regimens	3 (3–4)
I advise asthmatic patients to take their inhaled corticosteroids on a regular basis	4 (3–4)
I advise asthmatic patients to consult me before discontinuing any medication	4 (3–4)
I teach asthmatic patients how to self-monitor their symptoms	3 (3–4)
I evaluate symptoms control over the last 4 weeks	3 (2–4)
I schedule a follow-up visit for asthma patients who have been under control for the last 3 months	2 (1–3)

Table 5 Barriers for Providing Asthma Management Counseling (n = 416)

	Median (25–75 Percentiles)
I do not have enough time	3 (2–4)
Patient does not have time	3 (3–4)
I do not think that following asthma patient is my responsibility	3 (2–3)
Patient’s perception that it is not the pharmacist’s role	3 (2–4)
No financial incentive	3 (2–4)
I do not have enough knowledge	3 (2–3)
I do not have confidence in asthma management	3 (2–3)
I do not have confidence and skills in asthma counseling	3 (2–3)
I do not have confidence and skills in asthma monitoring	3 (2–4)
I do not have an asthma action plan	3 (2–4)