Effect of a brief educational intervention on medical students' use of asthma devices

Several studies have shown that a significant percentage of housestaff and attending physicians are deficient in both skill and knowledge of the meter ed-dose inhaler (MDI). There are no studies involving medical students, or any including the peak flow meter (PFM). The setting was a large health sci ence center with investigators in private conference rooms with individual medical students. Twenty-two medical students in the last semester before g raduation were scored in the use of these devices pre-education and post-ed ucation (instruction included both discussion and demonstration). Results r evealed a lack of skill initially, followed by dramatic improvement after t he intervention. The total number of correct steps for each device (MDI wit h spacer and PFM) improved significantly (p < 0.0001). This group of medica l students was deficient in the use of common asthma devices. A short educa tional intervention was effective in improving skill.