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Medicina familiaris Croatica : Journal of the Croatian Association of Family medicine, Vol. 25 No. 1-2, 2017.

Original scientific paper

Do we treat disease or the patient?

Kristina Sambol orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1590-3080 ; Dom zdravlja Varaždin
Tatjana Cikač orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1590-3080 ; Specijalistička ordinacija obiteljske medicine Tatjana Cikač

Full text: croatian pdf 300 Kb

page 27-34

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Abstract

Introduction: There are many types of inhalers available for asthma and COPD treatment. Different techniques in their usage can be confusing for the patients. Frequently healthcare professionals are not properly educated regarding the usage techniques for those inhalers.
Aim: This paper evaluates the level of knowledge regarding the correct use of inhalers among family medicine (FM) physicians.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 80 FM physicians. The respondents completed a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study. The source of respondents’ education, level of knowledge regarding adequate inhalation technique (range 0-4 points; unsatisfactory (≤ 2 points) and satisfactory (≥ 3 points) knowledge level) as well as process of patient education in inhalation techniques were assessed.
Results: Four men and 47 women (response rate 63,8%) participated in the study, with an average age of 44.2±10.9 years. The majority of respondents acquired knowledge about the correct use of inhalers by participating in lectures and workshops; 13 out of 51 respondents presented satisfactory knowledge level (≥ 3 points) regarding appropriate use of inhalers. Knowledge level of FM specialists had a median score 2 (0-3), while knowledge level of FM trainees had a median score 1(0-3). The respondents did not consider patient preferences as important in the selection of inhalers.
Conclusion: Smaller number of the respondents in this study presented satisfactory knowledge level regarding correct use of inhalers. Patients were not sufficiently involved in the treatment process by the respondents. Regular re-education of doctors
and nurses regarding proper use of inhalers would contribute to better education of patients, leading possibly to better disease outcomes and higher quality of care for these patients.

Keywords

inhalers; education; family medicine

Hrčak ID:

188076

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/188076

Publication date:

23.10.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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