RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Problems With Inhaler Use: A Call for Improved Clinician and Patient Education
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1360
OP 1375
VO 50
IS 10
A1 James B Fink
A1 Bruce K Rubin
YR 2005
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/10/1360.abstract
AB Patient education is a critical factor in the use and misuse of medication inhalers. Inhalers represent advanced technology that is considered so easy to use that many patients and clinicians do not receive adequate training in their use. Between 28% and 68% of patients do not use metered-dose inhalers or powder inhalers well enough to benefit from the prescribed medication, and 39 – 67% of nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists are unable to adequately describe or perform critical steps for using inhalers. Of an estimated $25 billion spent for inhalers annually, $5–7 billion is wasted because of inhaler misuse. Reimbursement and teaching strategies to improve patient education could substantially reduce these wasted resources. Problems with inhaler use, the cost of inhalers, and myths associated with inhalers are reviewed, with recommendations for strategies and techniques to better educate patients in inhaler use.