AI Insight
This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of a 2-hour educational intervention on asthma management competencies among 110 Jordanian community pharmacists. Following the guideline-based training session, pharmacists demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge scores, attitudes toward asthma care, and self-reported inhaler-use practices (both MDI and DPI) at the two-week follow-up assessment. Education level, particularly holding a PharmD versus BSc in Pharmacy, was significantly associated with higher baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores.
Why it matters
Community pharmacists are accessible healthcare providers who can support asthma self-management, yet care gaps exist. This study demonstrates that brief, focused educational interventions may enhance pharmacists' competencies in asthma care, potentially improving patient counseling and inhaler technique instruction in community pharmacy settings.
Understand the Science
by Mahmoud S. Abdallah, Rania Mahafdeh, Rima Hisham Shakhatreh
Background
Community pharmacists play a pivotal role in asthma self‑management support. Nonetheless, important care gaps persist.
Aim
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) scores among community pharmacists regarding asthma management.
Methods
A quasi‑experimental two‑week educational intervention study was conducted among 110 licensed Jordanian community pharmacists. Baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding asthma management were collected using a validated questionnaire. Participants then attended a guideline-aligned 2-hour educational session. The same questionnaire was administered for two weeks post‑intervention. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to determine the associated factors for baseline KAP scores. Changes in KAP scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed‑rank test, and changes in proportions of correct knowledge responses were assessed with McNemar’s test.
Results
A total of 110 community pharmacists took part in the study, and 100 completed the post-intervention assessment. Education level was significantly associated with pharmacists’ KAP. Pharmacists holding PharmD degrees had higher KAP scores compared with those holding a BSc in Pharmacy (p < 0.05). After the educational program, knowledge, attitude, and inhaler-use practice scores (MDI and DPI) were associated with short-term improvements in self-reported practice from before to after the intervention in all analyses (p < 0.001), showing improvement in pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and practices scores after the training.
Conclusion
Following the short guideline‑based workshop, community pharmacists showed improvements in knowledge scores, attitudes toward asthma care, and self‑reported inhaler‑use practices. These findings suggest that a brief educational intervention may be associated with short‑term enhancements in pharmacists’ asthma‑related competencies.