An audit of inhaler technique among asthma patients of 34 general practitioners

Doctors from 34 practices participated in an audit study which examined inhaler technique in up to 20 of their patients. A new scoring system, applicable to all forms of device, was used. Although the majority of the 422 patients (63%) was using metered dose inhalers, a broad range of other devices was included; most frequently Rotahalers (15%) and spacer devices (9%). For analysis, technique scores were rated as 'good' (score 4 out of 4), 'adequate' (score 3 or 4) and 'inadequate' (score 2 or less). Overall, 25% of patients had inadequate technique. Of all devices, the Turbohaler had the highest proportion of patients with good technique (78%), and metered dose inhalers the lowest (45%). This audit confirms that technique is unsatisfactory for a significant proportion of patients, regardless of the device used. A simple scoring system promotes consistent testing of technique within a practice.