Inhaler use and education characteristics among English and non-English speaking patients: A pilot needs assessment survey

Sucharita Kher; Hillary Landau; Stephanie M Hon; Janis L Breeze; Nadine Al-Naamani; Jessica K Paulus; Andrew Martin; Rosemary Tsacoyianis

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2018.12.016

Inhaler use and education characteristics among English and non-English speaking patients: A pilot needs assessment survey

Patient Educ Couns. 2019 May;102(5):932-936. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.12.016. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Authors

Sucharita Kher¹, Hillary Landau², Stephanie M Hon³, Janis L Breeze⁴, Nadine Al-Naamani⁵, Jessica K Paulus⁶, Andrew Martin⁷, Rosemary Tsacoyianis⁸

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: skher@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
² Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison avenue, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: Hillary.landau@uphs.upenn.edu.
³ Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: stephanie.hon@bmc.org.
⁴ Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center 35 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: jbreeze@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
⁵ Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: Nadine.Al-Naamani@uphs.upenn.edu.
⁶ Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness (PACE) Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, 35 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: jpaulus@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
⁷ Department of Pharmacy, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: AMartin4@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
⁸ Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address: rtsacoyianis@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Asthma; Boston; COPD; Chinese; Culture; Language; Metered dose inhalers; Needs assessment; Patient education as topic; Pulmonary medicine; Quality improvement.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Administration, Inhalation
Adult
Asthma / drug therapy*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Language
Male
Metered Dose Inhalers*
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Patient Education as Topic / methods*
Patient Education as Topic / standards
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
Quality Improvement

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding