NEXThaler^® in Focus: Evaluating Inhalers' Expectations, Experiences, and Preferences Across Patients, General...

Introduction: Choosing the optimal inhaler is crucial for effective management of asthma and COPD. Preferences and experiences may differ between patients and healthcare providers. The NEXThaler^®, a dry powder inhaler (DPI), was developed to simplify inhalation and improve patient satisfaction. Aim: This survey examined factors influencing inhaler selection and compared perceptions of NEXThaler^® with currently used or prescribed inhalers (CUI/CPI) among patients, general practitioners (GPs), and specialists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Poland among 96 patients with asthma or COPD and 151 physicians (70 GPs, 81 specialists). Participants assessed inhaler attributes using MaxDiff scaling and rated their CUI/CPI and NEXThaler^® on a Likert scale to evaluate usability and satisfaction. Results: Both patients and physicians prioritized ease of inhalation and confidence in administering the correct dose. Patients rated these highest (means 11.09; 95% CI 10.16-12.02 and 9.83; 95% CI 8.87-10.79), similar to physicians (12.35; 95% CI 11.76-12.94 and 15.41; 95% CI 14.78-16.04). Device size and clarity of instructions had a minimal impact on inhaler choice (patients: 3.44; 95% CI, 2.93-3.95 and 3.64; 95% CI, 2.82-4.46; physicians: 0.91; 95% CI, 0.58-1.24 and 1.60; 95% CI, 1.28-1.92). For CPI, specialists rated devices higher than GPs in terms of quality, feedback systems, clarity of manuals, and confidence that patients use the inhaler correctly (p < 0.05). For NEXThaler^®, both groups gave comparable, high scores (median 5 [4-5]; p > 0.05). Patients rated NEXThaler^® higher than their CUI for innovation, ease of use, dose counter, and feedback features (p < 0.001). Overall, 79% of healthcare providers and 71% of patients preferred NEXThaler^®. Conclusions: Both patients and healthcare providers evaluated NEXThaler^® positively, particularly regarding usability and dose control. However, the results also highlight ongoing gaps in inhaler-related knowledge and confidence, especially in primary care, emphasizing the need for continued education and collaborative training to improve the effectiveness of inhalation therapy.