Abstract
70% of inhalers used in the UK are Metered Dose inhalers (MDI) and account for 4% of the entire National Health Service (NHS) carbon footprint. Dry powder inhalers (DPI) have a substantially lower global warming potential (GWP), so the NHS is advocating changing therapy, where appropriate, to DPI delivery. We sought patient opinion on this change.
In summer 2020, people with asthma were asked ‘Do you have any further thoughts about potentially switching your inhaler and the impacts of inhalers on the environment?’ via the annual asthma UK survey. Using thematic analysis of a random sample from 1012/4800 replies, free text responses were coded and grouped into three key themes (Table 1).
People were at different stages of readiness to change. Over a third of responses identified uncertainty, but with a desire to discuss further. The most common reason for reluctance were doubts about the efficacy of a DPI and concerns that asthma control could be lost. Clinician opinion was identified as a key influence. Patients also expressed an interest in addressing other environmental issues (e.g. inhaler recycling). For clinicians to support the transition of patients to lower GWP inhalers effectively, they must acknowledge individual patient choice and their concerns regarding the efficacy of the new inhaler on their asthma control.
Table 1: Classification of patient responses on switching inhalers and impact on the environment
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 3143.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022
