TY - JOUR T1 - Evaluation of the teach-to-goal method in improving inhaler technique in paediatric asthma patients JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA3929 VL - 58 IS - suppl 65 SP - PA3929 AU - Orla Mallon AU - Michael Shields AU - Dara O'Donoghue AU - Patrick Mc Crossan Y1 - 2021/09/05 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA3929.abstract N2 - Introduction: Many children with asthma cannot use their inhalers correctly, resulting in poor symptom control and increased risk of exacerbations. The teach-to-goal method may be used to teach correct inhaler technique by asking the patient to demonstrate how they use their inhaler and providing iterative correction until the patient demonstrates correct technique.Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether inhaler technique improves after education with the teach-to-goal method in children with asthma.Methods: A pre-post study was designed. Global inhaler technique scores, percentage of correct steps and number of critical errors and were recorded at baseline and then following education using the teach-to-goal method. Understanding of the personalised asthma action plan was also recorded before and after clinic. Data collection took place in outpatient paediatric asthma clinics.Results: Seventy-three patients were assessed. At baseline, 43% of patients demonstrated correct technique on their preventer device and 34% on their reliever which increased to 88% and 84%, respectively, following teach-to-goal education. The median percentage of ‘correct steps’ increased from 83% (preventer) and 75% (reliever) at baseline, to 100% for both devices (p<0.01) and the median number of critical errors decreased from 1 to 0 for both reliever and preventer devices (p<0.01). Understanding of written asthma action plan also improved but did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions: The teach-to-goal method is effective and feasible at improving inhaler technique in children with asthma in an outpatient clinic setting.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA3929.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.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). ER -