Face-to-face Training as an Effective Approach for Teaching Rotahaler Technique in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Asthma and COPD.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of face-to-face training for teaching rotahaler technique in newly diagnosed patients of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted among twenty patients who were prescribed rotahaler for the first time. Patients received face-to-face training on rotahaler technique from pharmacist using GINA guidelines. The patients rotahaler technique was assessed after two weeks of training and scored one for correct and zero for incorrect steps. Descriptive statistics were performed.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 48.85±20.49 years. Eleven (55%) patients were females. Thirteen (65%) patient were not formally educated in school. Fourteen patients (70%) were able to perform all the steps correctly giving overall median score of eight (7-8).
Conclusions: Face-to-face training seems to be effective approach for teaching rotahaler technique in asthma and COPD patients.