Knowledge or ignorance about correct use of inhalers among physicians in Primary Health Care Centers in Serbia

Abstract

Introduction. In daily use, a large majority of patients make inhalation errors.
Primary health care doctors have an important role in preventing improper
use of inhalers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge
regarding the correct use of inhalers among physicians who work in
primary health care centers as well as to evaluate the method of acquiring
knowledge regarding an adequate inhalation technique.
Methods. The research belonged to a cross sectional study, conducted on
March 2019., in Belgrade, Serbia. The sample consisted of physicians who
work in primary health care centers in Serbia. The data were collected by
means of a questionnaire. The results were shown by parameters of descriptive
statistics. The difference in the number of points among the two
groups and other variables were tested by means of X2 test. The data were
analyzed using SPSS 20.
Results. The survey included 364 physicians in primary health care. 86.5% of
them were female respondents. The mean work experience was 19 ± 11.22
years. In half of respondents family medicine was the scope of specialty
(53%). The majority of respondents acquired knowledge about the correct
use of inhalers by participating in lectures and workshops (50.3%). It was
found that the physicians possessed an unsatisfactory level of knowledge.
Conclusion. Primary health care physicians possess inadequate knowledge
and skills concerning the proper use of inhalers. Lectures and workshops
are not sufficient enough to educate doctors concerning the use of inhalers.