PATIENT EDUCATION FOR ASTHMA INHALATION THERAPY BY PHARMACISTS

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY PHARMACIES

Abstract

The successful management of asthma requires effective and consistent use of inhaled medications. In Japan, recently pharmacists have been involved in patient education for various diseases including asthma. The aim of this study was to survey how pharmacists educate patients with asthma about inhalation therapy. Questionnaires were completed by 65 pharmacists recruited from 31 hospital pharmacies (HP) and 63 community pharmacies (CP) in Toyama prefecture. Patient education for inhalation therapy was done in 76.9% of the pharmacies, and the several differences were found between HP and CP. Although 68.4% of HP pharmacists discussed about patient education with doctors, only 12.9% of CP pharmacists did. Percentage of pharmacies where patients received demonstration on inhalation technique was higher in HP compared with CP (52.6% vs 16.1%). The pharmacists considered teaching inhalation technique is one of the most important points in patient education in more than 80% of HP while in less than 50% of CP. We conclude that pharmacists are struggling to educate asthmatic patients without any standard programs. There is a need for practical guidelines.