It is suggested that as many as two-thirds of patients do not correctly perform the required steps to ensure that inhaled medications are properly delivered. Not only does improper technique contributes to poor control of the disease, but it can also cause side effects, increased hospital visits and overall higher costs of treatment. To address this issue, Propeller Health is launching inhaler technique coaching via Google Helpouts.

Personalized inhaler technique coaching is provided through a private, HIPAA-compliant, one-on-one video call from the patient’s computer or mobile device.People with asthma, COPD, or other chronic respiratory disease, and their family caregivers, can get personalized inhaler technique coaching and answers to their questions from a trained Propeller Health pharmacist. Guidance is provided through a private, HIPAA-compliant, one-on-one video call from the patient’s computer or mobile device, regardless of geography or time zone.

“As a physician, I see firsthand the challenges that patients face in learning how to correctly use inhaled medications… Poor inhaler technique can have a major impact on their ability to manage their chronic respiratory disease,” said Dr. Fernando Holguin, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, and Assistant Director of the Asthma Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine.

Propeller is a digital therapeutic designed to reduce the frequency of asthma and COPD symptoms, preventable emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions. During May, which is the Asthma Awareness Month, it will provide free 15-minute inhaler technique assessments to anyone using an inhaled medication.

Those interested to schedule an inhaler technique check with Propeller Health can visit a dedicated page at Google Helpouts.