The pharmacists’ ability to use pressurized metered-dose inhalers with a spacer device and factors affecting it

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacists’ ability to use pMDIs with a spacer device and the factors that affect this ability.

Method: Face to face interviews were conducted with the pharmacists. A nine item questionnaire was completed and the checklist for how to use pMDIs with a spacer device was filled out.

Results: A total of 307 pharmacists voluntarily participated in this study. Fifty-six (18.2%) of the pharmacists stated that they did not know how to use pMDIs with a spacer device. These pharmacists were excluded and remaining 251 pharmacists included in the study. Only 100 (39.8%) pharmacists demonstrated all of the inhaler spacer device usage steps correctly. The step in which pharmacists made the most mistakes was “take 5–6 deep and slow breaths, hold for 10 s and slow breaths.” Those pharmacists who were more likely to correctly use pMDIs with a spacer device were younger (p = 0.023), had dispensed more asthma medications per day (p < 0.001), had dispensed more asthma medications per day for patients younger than six years of age (p = 0.016), and sold inhaler spacer devices at their pharmacy (p = 0.042).

Conclusion: Approximately one third of the pharmacists in the current study were able to correctly demonstrate all of the steps for proper usage of pMDIs with a spacer device, which indicates that pharmacists should be included in the training program and be provided continuous training on the use of pMDIs with a spacer device.

Keywords:

• Asthma
• children
• pharmacists
• spacer device
• skill
• ability

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study has received financial support as a scientific research project from Inonu University Coordination Department of Scientific Research Projects (Grant number: TSA-2019–1733). All authors contributed significantly to the present study, they have approved and take full responsibility for the final manuscript.