Role of Pharmacist in Counseling Asthma Patients: A Study with Simulated Patient

Correct education of asthmatic patients by pharmacists play an important role in control of asthma disease and improvement of patients’ quality of life. This study aims to evaluate community pharmacists’ knowledge and skills by demonstrating the proper inhalation technique of asthma inhaler devices in Isfahan, Iran. One hundred community pharmacies located in the Isfahan city were approached and four asthma devices were assessed (25 each of them): Metered dose inhaler (MDI), MDI with spacer, turbuhaler and revolizer. The investigator selected one device and asked the serving pharmacist to demonstrate how to use the device. Investigator completed a checklist of inhaler device use immediately after leaving the pharmacy. In total, 100 pharmacists (including 70 males with the mean age of 42.3±12.1) were approached. More than half of the pharmacists approached with MDI (with or without spacer) did not know how to use the optimal technique (i.e. all steps corrected all through). The majority of pharmacists (>90%) approached with turbuhaler did not know the proper technique. More than 70% of pharmacist had an adequate technique in handling revolizer. There was an inverse relationship between pharmacist’s knowledge and skill and age and work experience (r=-0.18, p: 0.037, and r=-0.16, p: 0.05 respectively). The majority of community pharmacists lack the basic knowledge of proper use of commonly dispensed asthma inhaler devices. Considering, the positive impact of pharmacists in patient care and education, specific training and continuing educational programs directed specifically on asthma management is necessary.