Abstract
Background: 43% of global deaths due to asthma occur in India despite the availability of all inhaled medications in cost-effective devices. Could practical knowledge about inhaler devices among Primary Care Practitioners (PCPs) be a contributing factor?
Aim: We tried to understand the level of knowledge about practical aspects of the use of inhaler devices amongst primary care practitioners (PCPs) in India.
Methodology: We approached 1800 randomly selected PCPs from across India to participate in an online survey with questions about inhalation therapy and its practical aspects.
Results: Total 512 doctors from 20 states in India responded (General Practitioners= 93, Physicians=197, Pediatricians=222). Figure 1 depicts that most PCPs understand the advantages of inhalation therapy except the need and cost-benefit of inhalers. However, there is a considerable knowledge gap about the practical nuances of the use of inhaler devices (Figure 2).
Conclusion: Knowledge about practical aspects of inhaler devices amongst PCPs in India needs to be updated through strategic planning, training programs, advocacy, and policy change.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4037.
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
