Short-term Evaluation of a Comprehensive Education Program Including Inhaler Training and Disease Management on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Kwang Ha Yoo; Wou Young Chung; Joo Hun Park; Sung Chul Hwang; Tae Eun Kim; Min Jung Oh; Dae Ryong Kang; Chin Kook Rhee; Hyoung Kyu Yoon; Tae Hyung Kim; Deog Kyeom Kim; Yong Bum Park; Sang Ha Kim; Ho Kee Yum

doi:10.4046/trd.2017.0041

Short-term Evaluation of a Comprehensive Education Program Including Inhaler Training and Disease Management on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2017 Oct;80(4):377-384. doi: 10.4046/trd.2017.0041. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

Authors

Kwang Ha Yoo^#¹, Wou Young Chung^#², Joo Hun Park³, Sung Chul Hwang², Tae Eun Kim⁴, Min Jung Oh⁵, Dae Ryong Kang⁵, Chin Kook Rhee⁶, Hyoung Kyu Yoon⁶, Tae Hyung Kim⁷, Deog Kyeom Kim⁸, Yong Bum Park⁹, Sang Ha Kim¹⁰, Ho Kee Yum¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
² Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
³ Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. jhpamc@hanmail.net.
⁴ Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
⁵ Office of Biostatistics, Department of Humanities and Social Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
⁶ Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
⁷ Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea.
⁸ Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
⁹ Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
¹⁰ Department of Internal Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, Korea.
¹¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Proper education regarding inhaler usage and optimal management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is essential for effectively treating patients with COPD. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive education program including inhaler training and COPD management.

Methods: We enlisted 127 patients with COPD on an outpatient basis at 43 private clinics in Korea. The patients were educated on inhaler usage and disease management for three visits across 2 weeks. Physicians and patients were administered a COPD assessment test (CAT) and questionnaires about the correct usage of inhalers and management of COPD before commencement of this program and after their third visit.

Results: The outcomes of 127 COPD patients were analyzed. CAT scores (19.6±12.5 vs. 15.1±12.3) improved significantly after this program (p<0.05). Patients with improved CAT scores of 4 points or more had a better understanding of COPD management and the correct technique for using inhalers than those who did not have improved CAT scores (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A comprehensive education program including inhaler training and COPD management at a primary care setting improved CAT scores and led to patients' better understanding of COPD management.

Keywords: Dry Powder Inhalers; Education; Metered Dose Inhalers; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive.