Education intervention
Once the initial questionnaire was completed and after having evaluated
IT, the education intervention was performed. A 15-minute course about
IT was imparted, which included a verbal explanation of IT essential
ideas supported by multimedia (power-point presentation). Emphasis was
given to the importance of adapting IT to patients’ age and abilities.
Subsequently, a demonstration of MDI IT was performed. IT with a space
chamber and facemask was demonstrated using a mannequin, while IT with a
space chamber and mouthpiece was performed by one of the main
investigators, exemplifying how to perform each step.
Phase 2 (P2) and phase 3 (P3): Reevaluation.
The impact of the education intervention was evaluated one month (phase
2) and 6 months (phase 3) after the education intervention. Firstly,
participants filled-in the same questionnaire as in P1. Three additional
questions were included: perceived satisfaction and usefulness of the
education intervention (in a score 0 to 10), as well as if the
intervention had entailed a change in daily practice. Secondly, subjects
demonstrated IT using a mannequin for IT with facemask and space chamber
and doing it themselves for IT with only space chamber with mouthpiece).
IT was evaluated using the same checklists as in P1. We considered an
effective educational intervention if an upgrade of 1 point in the total
score of the IT was achieved with respect to the score in P1.