Evaluation of a novel progressive pharmaceutical care model based on inhaler technique in the disease management of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China

Abstract Background: Inhaler device is regarded as the standard treatment for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, patients still have errors in performing inhaler devices even after education and training. This study aimed to explore the effective of a novel progressive pharmaceutical care model based on inhaler technique in the disease management of asthma and COPD patients in China. Methods: A prospective intervention study was conducted. 176 enrolled asthma and COPD patients were randomly divided into two groups: 88 in the intervention group and 88 in the control group. The novel progressive pharmaceutical care model included making a brochure, making videos, setting up special drug dispensing window for asthma and COPD patients, face to face demonstration and evaluation, online consultation, and follow up and reevaluation, which was provided for the intervention group participants lasted for 3 months, while the control group patients received usual pharmaceutical care (oral instruction of using inhaler devices was only provided). Outcome measures including rate of clinical effective, incidence of` exacerbation (≥ 2 times), medication adherence, inhaler technique score, rate of correct inhaler usage, and belief about medicines (BMQ) were used to evaluate the pharmaceutical care model. T test and χ2 test were used. Patient satisfaction in the intervention group was surveyed after 3 months. Results: After 3 months’ intervention, the rate of clinical effective, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) score, the inhaler technique score and the rate of correct inhaler usage were higher and the incidence of` exacerbation (≥2 times) and the BMQ score were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (P<0.00). Besides, the item 1-4, and item 6-7 of patient satisfaction in the intervention group achieved at least 93.18%. Conclusions: The novel progressive pharmaceutical care model based on inhaler technique gave great improvement in the disease management of patients with asthma and COPD. It is proved to be valuable and worthy of further promotion.