RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Inhaler technique education among non-English speaking patients in the United States is understudied, with communication barriers and language differences serving as important challenges to education. A previous needs assessment at our institution identified an opportunity to improve inhaler education for our Mandarin-speaking population. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility of a multimodal intervention to identify errors in inhaler technique. METHODS: Adult Mandarin-speaking subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma participated in a hospital outpatient clinic inhaler training session that utilized multimedia education. Pre-intervention information on demographics, confidence, and disease control was gathered. Post-intervention, subjects were asked if they would change their inhaler technique and what they found useful. RESULTS: On pre-intervention survey, eight of eleven (73%) subjects reported being very or completely confident in their inhaler technique. Following the intervention, seven (88%) of those 8 subjects self-identified errors in their technique. Video and handout were reported to be the most useful materials. CONCLUSION: A multimodality inhaler technique education intervention helped self-identify errors in inhaler technique among non-English speaking subjects. Implementation and use of language-targeted educational interventions is feasible in an outpatient clinic setting.
Asunto(s)
Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Barreras de Comunicación , Lenguaje , Inhaladores de Dosis Medida , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/métodos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , China/etnología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Factores Sociodemográficos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Identify inhaler use characteristics among English (ESP) and non-English speaking patients (NSP) to develop quality improvement efforts. METHODS: Outpatients were surveyed for technique confidence, education, preferences and disease control. We compared characteristics between ESP and NSP. RESULTS: Of 197 respondents, 75% were ESP, 25% were NSP. Compared to NSP, ESP responders were more likely female (57% vs 31%, p = 0.001), used inhalers for a longer time (10 vs 6 years, p = 0.008) and had higher rates of metered dose inhaler use (85% vs. 60%, p < 0.001). Both language groups had similar confidence in inhaler use, after adjustment for age, gender and duration of use. Similar rates of inhaler technique education were reported by ESP and NSP at the initial visit. More NSP reported receiving education at subsequent visits (54% vs. 72%, p = 0.03). Education for both groups was mostly performed by a clinician. Both language groups reported low internet use for learning proper technique, low interest in a separate education session, preferred an active learning method. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will be used to further develop quality inhaler education efforts at our institution. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Local patient preferences should be considered when designing inhaler education programs.