VG Press et al. The Chicago Breathe Project: a regional approach to improving education on asthma inhalers for resident physicians and minority patients. Journal National Medical Association, 2010;102:548-555.

Asthma disproportionately affects minority citizens in Chicago. Policy changes introducing hydrofluroalkane (HFA) inhalers may worsen already existing health disparities related to asthma. Press and colleagues sought to teach internal medicine residents about the transition to HFAs so they can better counsel their patients on asthma self-management. In order to do so, they provided minority community members with interactive educational sessions. Participants included internal medicine residents at five Chicago programs. Community workshops were conducted in a primarily Spanish-speaking (Cicero) Latino population and a primarily African American population from the south side of Chicago. The Chicago Breathe Project provides residents with education and tools necessary to counsel patients with asthma on inhaler use and provides minority community members with interactive educational sessions on asthma and inhaler use. Eleven workshops were held across five academic institutions, with a total of 161 residents. Resident knowledge regarding HFA inhalers improved dramatically (5% pre vs. 91% post, p < .001). Six months post education, residents were more likely to assess inhaler technique (44% vs. 11%, p = .046) and discuss new HFA inhalers (69% vs. 24%, p = .011) with their asthma patients. Community members provided feedback after the workshops that they would come again, found the session helpful, and enjoyed the session.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that the Chicago Breathe Project resulted in improved resident knowledge and skill on inhaler use during HFA transition. Regional educational approaches targeting internal medicine residencies in urban areas may be helpful to address future changes in chronic disease management. This training can be taken into minority communities to provide high-quality interactive educational workshops directly to patients and their families.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE CONSUMER: The correct use of inhalers is one of the most important self-management skills required for patients with asthma. Too many patients, however, are not taught to use their inhalers correctly. This was pointed out in the study. As also noted, less than half of the intervention residents followed up by assessing patients at later visits. This is as necessary as initial instruction if patients are going to continue to receive their inhaled medications to control their asthma.