Inhaler Technique Maintenance: Gaining an Understanding from the Patient's Perspective

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the patient-, education-, and device-related factors that predict inhaler technique maintenance. Methods. Thirty-one community pharmacists were trained to deliver inhaler technique education to people with asthma. Pharmacists evaluated (based on published checklists), and where appropriate, delivered inhaler technique education to patients (participants) in the community pharmacy at baseline (Visit 1) and 1 month later (Visit 2). Data were collected on participant demographics, asthma history, current asthma control, history of inhaler technique education, and a range of psychosocial aspects of disease management (including adherence to medication, motivation for correct technique, beliefs regarding the importance of maintaining correct technique, and necessity and concern beliefs regarding preventer therapy). Stepwise backward logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of inhaler technique maintenance at 1 month. Results. In total 145 and 127 participants completed Visits 1 and 2, respectively. At baseline, 17%% of patients (n == 24) demonstrated correct technique (score 11//11) which increased to 100%% (n == 139) after remedial education by pharmacists. At follow-up, 61%% (n == 77) of patients demonstrated correct technique. The predictors of inhaler technique maintenance based on the logistic regression model (X