Internists in training; what do they know about inhalers?

Abstract

The study tested the knowledge of internal medicine residents in recognizing the types and demonstrating the ways of using 6 different inhalers. Of the residents 61%, 49%, 78% and 90% were unable to recognize commonly used devices (a metered dose inhaler, Turbuhaler, Diskus and Diskhaler respectively), while 24%, 53%, 81% and 93% were unable to demonstrate the correct the ways of using them. None of the residents (0%) were able to recognize or to demonstrate the use of Rotahaler and Aerolizer correctly. None of them had received any formal education about the use of the inhalers during their training, while only 2% had attended sessions with medical educators.