Enhancing Pharmacists' Skills in Inhaler Management: Outcomes from a Nationwide Workshop Series in Spain

Introduction: Proper inhaler technique is essential for optimizing treatment in patients with respiratory diseases. However, misuse of these devices remains common. This educational project, titled "Inhaler Management: From Practice to Reality," was carried out through five workshops in Spain (Madrid, Cartagena, Alicante, and Murcia), targeting 65 community pharmacists with the goal of improving their knowledge and skills in inhaler management. Methods: The 1.5-hour workshops included a theoretical introduction (30 minutes), hands-on practice with placebo devices (20 minutes), and practical case discussions (25 minutes). Participants completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires with 11 questions grouped into three areas (general concepts (2), technique (6), and practical cases (3)) to assess the impact on their knowledge. Results: The analysis of the responses revealed a significant improvement in participants' knowledge. For example, the percentage of correct answers regarding which device has the following characteristics—fixed dose, propellant-free multidose, high pulmonary deposition, and low inspiratory effort—increased from 24.6% to 76.3%. Knowledge about which types of inhalation devices can be used with spacers rose from 13.8% to 42.1%. Overall, the percentage of correct answers increased across all key areas, with technique-related questions showing the greatest improvement, underscoring the effectiveness of the workshop’s practical approach. Discussion: The results highlight the need for continuous training for pharmacists in inhaler management, given their strategic role in patient education. Practical activities and real-life case discussions proved to be effective tools for consolidating learning. Conclusion: The "Inhaler Management" workshops significantly enhanced the knowledge and skills of community pharmacists in Spain, contributing to improved respiratory care. Future studies could explore the long-term impact on patient adherence and health outcomes. Keywords: inhaler management, community pharmacy, pharmacist training, respiratory care, Spain.