International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 2022, 12, 3, 380-385.
DOI: 10.5530/ijpi.2022.3.64
Published: July 2022
Type: Original Article
Authors:
Sara Shahid
[1]Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, PAKISTAN.[2]Department of Pharmacy Practice, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Fahad Ahmed
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, PAKISTAN.
Fahad Ahmed
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, PAKISTAN.
Amna Bajwa
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, PAKISTAN.
Muhammad Ans
University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Anosh Sana
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, PAKISTAN.
Sameen Abbas
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, PAKISTAN.
Asma Fareed Khan
[5]Disciplines of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Universiti Sains, MALAYSIA.[6]Children’s Hospital and University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Aiman Mahmood
Department of Pharmaceutics, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Qandeel Rafi
Department of Pharmaceutics, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Shakeel Ahmad
Department of Pharmaceutics, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Asifa Anwar
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
Rabeel Khan
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN
Gul Shahnaz
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Asad Majeed Khan
Department of Pharmaceutics, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PAKISTAN.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Metered-dose inhalers are the most widely prescribed and dispensed inhaler devices worldwide for the management of asthma. The present study aimed to access the impact of educational intervention on the competency of community pharmacists of Islamabad, Pakistan regarding the pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique. Materials and Methods: The intervention involved educating pharmacists practically through placebo inhalers and theoretically through literature brochures; based upon the “National Asthma Education and Preventive Program” inhaler technique. A total of 100 pharmacists were recruited from the rural and urban sectors of Islamabad. A covert simulated patient approach was used to evaluate the inhaler technique of pharmacists. Type of pharmacy, education status of pharmacists and the influence of already received training on the use of inhaler devices were the factors that demonstrated a significant positive association with the competency of pharmacists. Results: McNemar test was applied for pre and post-intervention intragroup comparisons to further access categorical variables. A p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The competency of pharmacists increased significantly from 24% before intervention to 33% after intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: Originally, the inhaler technique competency of the majority of pharmacy professionals was observed to be inappropriate. However, the educational intervention proved to be effective in substantially enhancing the skill of community pharmacists regarding the MDI technique.
Keywords: Metered-dose inhalers, Community pharmacy professionals, Educational intervention, National Asthma Education and Preventive Program, Covert simulated patient approach.