Evaluating the outcome of two teaching methods of breath actuated inhaler in an inner city asthma clinic.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare two different teaching methods used to educate patients in the use of a breath actuated inhaler (BAI) and to assess the impact of its continued use on their metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Adult Pulmonary/Asthma clinic of Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL.


METHODS
Diagnosed, stable asthmatics.


METHODS
The patients were randomized into two groups. The experimental group received verbal instructions and demonstration on breath actuated inhaler technique while the control group received written instructions only on BAI use. The metered dose inhaler technique of both groups of patients was also evaluated.


METHODS
A checklist evaluating the key aspects of proper BAI and MDI inhalation techniques was used to assess the use of both types of inhalers at entry into the study and upon postintervention follow-up at 8 to 20 weeks.


RESULTS
At baseline, 97% of patients in the experimental group and 83% of patients in the control group were initially able to demonstrate BAI inhalation technique correctly. Upon follow-up, 82% of the control group and 68% of the experimental group were able to use the BAI correctly, which was a statistically significant deterioration in the experimental group. In both of these groups, there was a statistically significant improvement in MDI technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Written instructions alone may be an adequate teaching tool for proper inhalation technique of BAI. Continued BAI use appears not to impact adversely on proper MDI technique.
Rydman
R J
RJ
Division of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, Illinois, USA.
Sonenthal
K
K
Tadimeti
L
L
Butki
N
N
McDermott
M F
MF
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002641:Chicago; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty; D014505:Urban Population
D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents