The effect of telepharmacy counseling on metered-dose inhaler technique among adolescents with asthma in rural Arkansas

The increased prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and health costs associated with asthma among children suggest the need for accessible asthma educatio n. This study examined the effect of telepharmacy counseling on metered-dos e inhaler (MDI) technique and patient satisfaction among adolescents with a sthma in rural Arkansas. Results from this experimental study indicated tha t the telepharmacy counseling group improved more on MDI technique than ado lescents in the control group from pretest to follow-up (p<0.001), The stud y findings demonstrated that patient education provided by pharmacists via interactive compressed video was superior to education provided via written instructions on an inhaler package insert. Interactive Compressed Video is an effective medium for teaching MDI technique in this rural population.