Developing a Virtual Teach-To-Goal^™ Inhaler Technique Learning Module: A Mixed Methods Approach.

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Health Informatics
• Patient Education

Background:

• In-hospital patients with asthma or COPD frequently misuse respiratory inhalers.
• In-person teach-to-goal (TTG) strategies effectively improve inpatient inhaler technique.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a portable, accessible educational intervention for hospitalized patients to reinforce proper inhaler technique post-discharge.
• To develop a virtual teach-to-goal (V-TTG) intervention using patient feedback.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed at an urban academic hospital.
• Iterative development and testing of the V-TTG intervention incorporated patient end-user feedback.
• Surveys assessed technology access and willingness to use for self-management, while focus groups evaluated V-TTG access, functionality, and quality.

Main Results:

• Most surveyed patients had internet access (77% at home) and were willing to use V-TTG (over 80%).
• Smartphone access was common (73%), with asthma patients more likely to own smartphones and use the internet daily.
• Focus groups identified key themes in access, functionality, and quality, guiding intervention refinement.

Conclusions:

• Virtual teach-to-goal (V-TTG) is a promising tool for improving inhaler technique, co-developed with patient input.
• Patients in this urban academic setting reported high access to technology platforms and willingness to engage with V-TTG for health education.