Do we treat disease or the patient?

Uvod: Danas su dostupne brojne vrste inhalera koji se koriste u liječenju astme i kronične opstruktivne plućne bolesti. Različite tehnike njihovog korištenja zbunjuju pacijente, a često ni zdravstveni radnici koji ih propisuju nisu upoznati s ispravnom tehnikom njihovog korištenja. Cilj: Cilj rada bio je procijeniti znanje o pravilnoj upotrebi inhalera među liječnicima koji rade u ordinacijama obiteljske medicine (OM). Metode: Presječnim istraživanjem obuhvaćen je prigodni uzorak od 80 liječnika koji rade u ordinaciji OM. Svi ispitanici ispunili su upitnik konstruiran za potrebe istraživanja kojim je procijenjen način stjecanja i razina znanja (raspon bodova 0-4; nezadovoljavajuća (≤ 2 boda) i zadovoljavajuća (≥ 3 boda) razina znanja) o primjeni inhalera te provođenje edukacije pacijenata o pravilnom korištenju inhalera. Rezultati: U ispitivanju su sudjelovala 4 muškarca i 47 žena (stopa odgovora 63,8%) prosječne životne dobi 44,2±10,9 godina. Najveći broj ispitanika stekao je znanje o pravilnoj upotrebi inhalera sudjelovanjem na predavanjima i radionicama. Svega 13 od 51 ispitanika pokazalo je zadovoljavajuću razinu znanja (≥ 3 boda) o pravilnoj upotrebi inhalera. Znanje specijalista obiteljske medicine procijenjeno je ocjenom 2 (0- 3), a specijalizanata obiteljske medicine ocjenom 1 (0-3). Pri odabiru inhalera liječnici nisu smatrali važnom želju bolesnika. Zaključak: Manji broj ispitanih liječnika u ovom istraživanju posjeduje zadovoljavajuću razinu znanja o pravilnoj upotrebi inhalera. Ispitanici nedovoljno često u proces liječenja uključuju i pacijenta. Redovita reedukacija liječnika i medicinskih sestara o pravilnoj upotrebi inhalera pridonijela bi poboljšanju edukacije pacijenata, a time očekivano i boljoj kontroli bolesti te unaprjeđenju kvalitete skrbi za ovu skupinu bolesnika.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