Use of Web-Based Videos in a Community Pharmacy to Optimize Inhalation Technique

Numerous studies have demonstrated that incorrect use of inhalers prescribed to treat airway diseases is commonly observed and is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether inhalation technique can be improved by the demonstration of short training video sequences provided by the German Airway League.

Patients filling a script for an inhalator in a community pharmacy were asked to demonstrate their inhalation technique which was rated using specific checklists. Patients not inhaling correctly demonstrated inhaler use again after having viewing the training video.

A total of 229 (n=229) patients were included in the study of whom 165 (n=165) (72.1%) made at least one critical mistake when inhaling. Training videos were only demonstrated to patients with incorrect inhaler technique. After having watched the video 80 (n=80) of 165 (n=165) (48.5%) patients with incorrect inhaler use at baseline demonstrated correct inhalation technique now and the number of critical mistakes decreased significantly (1 [0; 1] vs 2 [1.5; 3]; p<0.0001). Device use was demonstrated by a member of the study team to patients still not inhaling correctly (n=85) resulting in a correct technique in 64 (n=64) (75.3%) of these patients.

Incorrect device use is still a major problem. Training videos could be an efficient part of a multi-modal approach to improve inhalation technique in clinical practice.