Poor inhaler technique is a common problem both in asthma patients and health care providers , which contributes to poor asthma control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correctness of metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique in a sample of physicians , pharmacists and nurses practicing in Hamadan University hospitals.

A total of 176 healthcare providers (35 internists and general physicians , 138 nurses and 3 pharmacists) were participated voluntary in this study. After the participants answered a questionnaire aimed at identifying their involvement in MDI prescribing and counseling , a trained observer assessed their MDI technique using a checklist of ten steps.

Of the 176 participants , 35(20%) were physician , and 3 subjects (2%) were pharmacists , and 138 (78%) were nurses. However only 6 participants (3.4%) performed all steps correctly. Physicians performed significantly better than non-physicians (8.6% vs. 2.13%).

           The majority of healthcare providers responsible for instructing patients on the correct MDI technique were unable to perform this technique correctly ‘indicating the need for regular formal training programmes on inhaler techniques.