title: Effect of a brief educational intervention on medical students' use of asthma devices.
abstract: Several studies have shown that a significant percentage of housestaff and attending physicians are deficient in both skill and knowledge of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI). There are no studies involving medical students, or any including the peak flow meter (PFM). The setting was a large health science center with investigators in private conference rooms with individual medical students. Twenty-two medical students in the last semester before graduation were scored in the use of these devices pre-education and post-education (instruction included both discussion and demonstration). Results revealed a lack of skill initially, followed by dramatic improvement after the intervention. The total number of correct steps for each device (MDI with spacer and PFM) improved significantly (p < 0.0001). This group of medical students was deficient in the use of common asthma devices. A short educational intervention was effective in improving skill.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163, USA.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chafin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tolley
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demirkan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burbeck
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Self
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D013337:Students, Medical
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents