Evaluation of Pediatric Residents’ Knowledge Levels on Inhaler Techniques Used in Asthma Treatment and the Effect of Education on the Level of Knowledge

Öz

Objective: The use of inhaler drugs results in clinical success only when they are applied using the right technique. Faulty inhaler application techniques reduce therapeutic efficacy, impair treatment compliance, and lead to inadequate control of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels of pediatric residents who play an important role in the follow-up of patients with pediatric asthma in both inpatient and outpatient services in a tertiary children’s hospital and to determine the effect of short-term training on the level of knowledge.

Material and Methods: All participants were asked to demonstrate the use of inhaler devices using demo devices. This assessment was designated as the “Pre-test.” The participants were then given face-to-face inhaler device training in groups of up to 15 people, which included all application steps. At the end of the training, the steps of inhaler device use were reassessed.

Results: Pre-training evaluation of inhaler technique on Metered Dose Inhaler and Dry Powder Inhaler devices showed that none of the 148 participants successfully completed the predetermined mandatory steps of the inhaler technique. After the training, it was observed that all participants were able to fully apply the steps of the previously determined checklist.

Conclusion: Medical school curricula and specialty education should include the application training of inhaler devices, which are extremely important for asthma treatment. Regular repetition of in-service training involving inhaler technique and application among health professionals can correct application errors and increase awareness regarding the importance of the right inhaler technique in the treatment of asthma. Key Words: Asthma, Children, Inhaler, Treatment tech

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Asthma
• children
• Inhaler
• Treatment techniques

Pediatri Asistanlarının Astım Tedavisinde Kullanılan İnhaler Tedavi Teknikleri Konusunda Bilgi Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Amaç: İnhaler ilaçların tedavi başarısı ancak doğru bir teknikle uygulanırsa mümkün olmaktadır. Hatalı inhaler teknik; terapötik etkinliği azaltır, tedavi uyumunu bozar ve hastalığın yetersiz kontrolüne yol açar. Çalışmamızda; üçüncü basamak çocuk hastanesinde hem yataklı servis hem de poliklinik hizmetlerinde astımlı çocuk hasta takibinde önemli rol üstlenen pediatri asistan hekimlerinin uygun inhaler teknik konusundaki bilgi düzeylerini değerlendirmek ve kısa süreli bir eğitimin bilgi düzeyine katkısını belirlemek amaçlanmıştır.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Tüm katılımcılardan demo cihazlar ve manken kullanarak, inhaler cihaz kullanımını göstermeleri istendi. Bu değerlendirme ‘Ön-Test’ olarak adlandırıldı. Daha sonra katılımcılara maksimum 15 kişiden oluşan gruplar halinde, tüm uygulama basamaklarını içeren yüz yüze inhaler cihaz kullanım eğitimi verildi. Eğitim sonunda inhaler cihaz kullanımına ait basamaklar tekrar değerlendirildi.

Bulgular: Ölçülü Doz İnhaler ve Kuru Toz İnhaler cihazlara ait inhaler teknik ile ilgili eğitim öncesi değerlendirme sonucunda 148 katılımcıdan hiçbirinin önceden belirlenmiş zorunlu basamakları eksiksiz tamamlayamadığı görüldü. Eğitim sonrasında tüm katılımcıların önceden belirlenen kontrol listesinin adımlarını tam olarak uygulayabildikleri gözlemlendi.

Sonuç: Tıp fakültesi müfredatı ve uzmanlık eğitim sürecine astım tedavisi için son derece önemli olan inhaler cihazların uygulama eğitiminin dahil edilmesi gerektiğine dikkat çekmek istiyoruz. Sağlık profesyonelleri arasında, inhaler teknik uygulamalarını içeren hizmet içi eğitimlerin düzenli aralıklarla tekrarlanması uygulamadaki hataları gidermekle birlikte astım tedavisinde doğru inhaler tekniğin önemi konusundaki farkındalığı da arttıracaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Astım
• Çocuk
• İnhaler
• Tedavi Teknikleri

Kaynakça

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