Clinical Skills Reflection

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Description
I attended a Clinical Skills session, which was focused on peak flow meters, inhalers and spirometry. The aims of this session were to practise explaining to a patient how to use a peak flow meter, to interpret the peak flow results, to undertake and interpret the results of a spirometry, to practise explaining to a patient how to use an inhaler and to understand the use of an Aerosol Inhalation Monitor in optimising a patient’s treatment. I was given the opportunity to learn about the different types of inhalers used by patients, and assess the effectiveness of my inhaler technique using a Vitalograph Aerosol Inhalation Monitor (A-M Systems) and using an inspiratory flow meter (Robinson & Scullion, 2009).
Feelings
When using the …show more content…

This assumption was based on the fact that I have been using a metered-dose inhaler for approximately 10 years. Also, I was under the misconception that a strong expiration is required when using a metered-dose inhaler. My theory is that I was adhering to a ‘lay perspective’ (Nettleton, 2006), and in this case, a common misconception that feeling the sensation of the medication depositing on the back of my throat is an indication that inhaler has worked effectively. I believe that completing the clinical skills session shifted my view from the lay perspective to the ‘professional perspective’, as I have come to the realisation that a metered-dose inhaler has an inbuilt propeller and so a low-strength inspiration would be the most effective technique to ensure the medication enters the lungs. However, a dry-powder inhaler does not have an inbuilt propeller and so a strong inspiration would be required to ensure that the medication enters the lung. I initially did not know the dry-powder inhaler existed, so I think from a lay perspective, there is a possibility for the two types of inhalers and their required inspiration techniques to be confused with one another. The realisation that I may have been using the incorrect inhaler technique for several years is a strong memory that I will hold. I think this can be a positive outcome, as I now understand from a patient’s point of view, the importance of explaining the

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