Methods The website YouTube.com was queried for the search phrase “how to use asthma inhaler”. The resulting videos were assessed for duration, number of views, number of likes and dislikes, source of video, and content. Content was analyzed for proper inhaler usage. Specifically, videos were assessed whether they discussed the following 9 important steps of inhaler use: removing the cap, primi...

OBJECTIVE To examine the reliability and validity of the Family Asthma Management System Scale for low-income African-American children with poor asthma control and caregivers under stress. The FAMSS assesses eight aspects of asthma management from a family systems perspective. METHODS Forty-three children, ages 8-13, and caregivers were interviewed with the FAMSS; caregivers completed measur...

Introduction. Current modes of instruction on inhaler technique are inadequate. We aimed to evaluate the value of face-to-face training and telephonic reminder (FFTTR) for improving Rotahaler technique in experienced patients with COPD. Materials and Methods. A single group pre-/postinterventional study was conducted at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal. We assessed the Rotahaler...

As Dr. Lee and colleagues describe in this issue of American Family Physician,1 inhaled therapy is the preferred route of medication delivery in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data suggest that inhaler devices have similar effectiveness in treating patients with COPD; however, a variety of factors must be considered when selecting the best device for each patient2 (...

Education has been known to essential for management of chronic airway diseases. However the real benefits remain unclear. We evaluated the effectiveness of an organized educational intervention for chronic airway diseases directed at primary care physicians and patients. The intervention was a 1-month education program of three visits, during which subjects were taught about their disease, an ...

Clinical observations have shown that some older patients are unable to learn to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) despite having a normal abbreviated mental test (AMT) score, possibly because of dyspraxia or unrecognised cognitive impairment. Thirty inhaler-naive inpatients (age 76-94) with an AMT score of 8-10 (normal) were studied. Standard MDI training was given and the level of competence r...

Turbuhaler and Diskus are commonly used powder inhaler devices for patients with respiratory disease. Their effectiveness is limited in part by a patient's ability to use them correctly. This has led to numerous studies being conducted over the last decade to assess the correct use of these devices by patients and health care professionals. These studies have generally used device-specific chec...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate knowledge of and techniques for using prescribed inhalation devices among patients with asthma or COPD treated at a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS Patients were assessed after medical visits, and their physicians were blinded to this fact. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique and were then interviewed regarding their knowledge of inhalation dev...