Pharmacist's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward proper inhaler technique

Recognizing and correcting inhaler technique faults are critical for pharmacists. This study assesses the inhaler usage practices, attitudes, and knowledge among pharmacists.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 pharmacists in 2 provinces (Karbala and Najaf) from October 1, 2022, to the end of December 2022.

Two hundred Iraqi pharmacists, aged 28.1 ± 4.6 years, and randomly selected from Najaf and Karbala, participated in the study. The use of inhalers was well-known to about one-third of the participants. Most participants felt that using inhalers properly impacts how well a patient responds to treatment and that pharmacists must take courses to improve their credentials as educators. About a third of the volunteers checked how inhalers were used and explained the inhale-hold technique.

In conclusion, pharmacists in Iraq demonstrated a fair level of knowledge and practice regarding inhaler usage techniques, with a good attitude toward teaching patients how to use their inhalers. The training programs on how to use inhalers would be beneficial in improving their healthcare services.