Hands-on training on inhaled devices to boost pharmacy students’ performance during inhaler counselling

Abstract

Objective: The effective use of inhalers depends on completeness of information from healthcare providers. As pharmacists acquire foundational skills on inhalers from their undergraduate curriculum, the experience and performance of pharmacy students regarding inhaler counselling should be explored. Methods: Pharmacy students who completed their final year of study answered an online questionnaire on their experience with teaching-learning activities on inhalers. Students also underwent an objective structured clinical exam that included Turbuhaler device counselling. Results: 84 students who completed the online questionnaire strongly agreed that the curriculum increased their awareness of different types of inhalers (65.5%) and specific techniques for use (64.3%). Students reported being able to counsel on metered-dose inhaler (98.8%) and dry-powder inhaler (92.8%) techniques. Students performed well (mean=9.4, SD=2.7) at Turbuhaler counselling from a full score of 14. Conclusions: The current training on inhaler devices was useful for the pharmacy students. Future training should emphasise supplementary advice on inhaler taste and gargling.