Table 1.
Description of the questions forming the knowledge, attitude and practice scores
| Knowledge score | |||||
| Questions | Correct answer | Coding | |||
| 1. What is the difference between COPD and chronic bronchitis? | COPD is the combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis | 1 point | |||
| 2. What are the common symptoms of COPD? | • Shortness of breath • Cough • Sputum production • Wheezing |
1 point per correct answer | |||
| 3. What are the risk factors for COPD? | • Smoking • Exposure to air pollution • Lung infections • Exposure to fumes, chemicals and dust found in many work environments |
1 point per correct answer | |||
| 4. What changes takes place in the body when you have COPD? | • Always get inflamed and swollen • Thick mucus secretion |
1 point per correct answer | |||
| 5. What complications can COPD lead to? | Both heart problems and chest infections | 1 point | |||
| 6. Is COPD contagious? | • No | 1 point | |||
| 7. Can COPD be completely cured? | • No | 1 point | |||
| 8. Are antibiotics indicated in patients with COPD exacerbation with a viral etiology? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 9. What antibiotics would you give to the patient with COPD exacerbation? | Quinolones Beta-lactams |
1 point per correct answer | |||
| 10. What is the duration of antibiotics treatment in a patient with COPD exacerbation? | 14 days | 1 point | |||
| 11. Do you think that steroids could be prescribed to patients to treat COPD exacerbation? | Yes, they are indicated when the patient is wheezing | 1 point | |||
| 12. Is smoking an important cause of COPD? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| Practice score | |||||
| 1. You always do a patient’s medication review (dose, dosage form, duration of therapy, etc.) regarding the concomitant treatments of COPD. | a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neither agree nor disagree d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree |
Strongly disagree = 1 to Strongly agree = 5 | |||
| 2. Drug-related problems are recorded and forwarded to the physician. | a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neither agree nor disagree d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree |
Strongly disagree = 1 to Strongly agree = 5 | |||
| 3. Do you usually teach/give advices for your patients on how to use the metered-dose inhaler even if they do not ask you? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 4. When a patient is using a metered dose inhaler, do you tell him to shake the canister just before taking a puff? | • Every time | 1 point | |||
| 5. Do you counsel patients regarding the best time to take the inhalers? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 6. Do you usually teach/give advices for your patients on how to use the powder inhalers even if they do not ask you? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 7. When a patient is using steroids by inhalation, do you counsel him about rinsing the mouth after inhalation? | • Every time | 1 point | |||
| 8. Do you assess the patient’s knowledge deficit when they come for counseling? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 9. Do you assess the patient’s expectations of their COPD therapy? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 10. Do you counsel the patient about worsening of COPD symptoms? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 11. Do you refer the patient to a physician in case of COPD exacerbations? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 12. Do you prescribe mucolytics for patients with COPD exacerbation? | • Yes | 1 point | |||
| 13. If yes which one? | • N-acetylcysteine | 1 point | |||
| Attitude score | |||||
| In summary, how much do you agree on the role of the pharmacist in patient education and awareness regarding the following subjects | Strongly agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly disagree |
| Smoking cessation | |||||
| Effect of second hand smoking | |||||
| Use of inhalers | |||||
| Role of nutrition | |||||
| Exercise | |||||
| Drug-drug and drug-food interactions | |||||
| Long-term treatment effect | |||||
| Importance of patient compliance | |||||
| Vaccines for the prevention of acute exacerbation | |||||
| Drug use and auto-prescription | |||||
| Antibiotic misuse or abuse | |||||
| Use of humidifier | |||||