Abstract

THE EFFECT OF COUNSELLING BY CLINICAL PHARMACIST ON CORRECT INHALATIONAL TECHNIQUES IN ASTHMA PATIENTS

Nikhitha Anne*, Meenu Elsa Saji, Simi Susan Sam, Emily James, Mathew Ninan and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Asthma is defined as the condition which occurs due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways so they become easily irritated. The treatment of choice in asthma is generally MDI. There are several other study literatures related to asthma. Most of the studies are mere epidemiological surveys. The role of pharmacist and assessment of adherence in patients using dose counter inhalers is limited. Our study focuses on evaluating and comparing the adherence among patients using inhalers with dose counters and those using inhalers without dose counters before and after providing counselling and demonstration of correct inhalational techniques. A prospective, observational and interventional study was conducted. A total of 140 patients were selected using inhaler and equally divided into two groups. 70 patients using inhaler without dose counter included in group 1 and 70 patients using inhaler with dose counter included in group 2. Both groups were given counselling by the clinical pharmacist on the proper inhaler usage techniques. Many of the patients demonstrated an incorrect inhaler technique initially. Later after proper counselling was given, there was significant improvement in number of patients who have corrected inhalation techniques. The common inhalational technique errors were also identified and corrected. Counselling provided by the clinical pharmacist has helped in improving the correct inhalational method.

Keywords: Asthma, Adherence, Dose counter inhalers, Patient counseling.