The Effect On Self-Care and Self-Efficacy of Inhaler Training in COPD

Pulmonary diseases are a major source of mortality and morbidity globally. The major symptom of COPD is dyspnea. Since dyspnea leads to activity limitation and inadequate self-care skills among individuals, it is often associated with major psychological comorbidity, social isolation and poor perceived quality of life. COPD patients with high self-efficacy are high enough to level of treatment adherence. On the other hand, the most preferred treatment method for the management and mitigation of COPD symptoms is by the use of inhaler medication. However, incorrect use of the inhaler would lead to failure in the control of COPD patients. Also, it fails to provide COPD patients with self-care agency and self-efficacy levels. In COPD, planned inhaler medication training has been shown in many studies to reduce dyspnoea, increase self-care and self-efficacy levels. Therefore, planned inhaler medication training increases quality of life in COPD patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects who are literate,
• Diagnosed with COPD at least six months ago,
• Using inhaler medication since three or more months,
• Moderate or severe COPD, according to GOLD criteria,
• Incorrect use inhaler medication uses according to the list of inhaler medication use skills,
• No communication problems,
• No mental confusion or any psychiatric problem,
• Agrees to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive dysfunction,
• Severe pulmonary, cardiological or malignant disease,
• In a period of exacerbation,
• Correctly performs all steps for their prescribed inhaler medication(s), according to the list of inhaler skills.