APPRENTICESHIP OF INHALER TECHNIQUE BY VIDEO FEEDBACK

<bold>INTRODUCTION:</bold> Inhaler technique is crucial for treatment of airway obstruction but 50% of patients use inhalers incorrectly and 25% admit to never having education. This leads to increased exacerbations and hospitalisations. We have developed an inhaler studio in our rehabilitation center. The patient is filmed using the inhaler in a quiet undisturbed studio and then subjected to an analysis of his own performance. The session is staged A/ Filming patient using inhaler (QR code 1) B/ Patient watches correct technique on a standard validated video (ZEPHYR©) (QR code 2) C/ Reviewing patient’s own film accompanied by a trained nurse to review personnal mistakes (QR code 3) <bold>Results:</bold> Fifteen COPD patients (7 male, 8 female) completed the process and found it feasible and acceptable. Mean age 65 yrs, FEV1 52%. There were 1.7 mistakes on average per session. 12 patients were completely untroubled by the filming and all found the experience positive – see patient comments via QR code 4. COMMENTS Patients felt they had improved their inhaler technique. They were at ease and found the educative process improved. After initial apprenticeship the staff have acquired easy competence in the procedure so that the entire process now takes 20 minutes for each patient. <bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> This method of learning by visual and aural feedback of self-practice makes the patient a participant in the process and provides staff with a practical, interactive and pleasant method of improving patient confidence. Creation of a simple scoring system will allow comparative evaluation and longer term benefits to be examined (QR code 5).