Aerosol delivery practice in Italian Cystic Fibrosis centres : a national survey

Background: Physiotherapists (PTs) are ideally positioned to assist patients and families with inhalation therapies through monitoring, communication and education about available therapies and their proper use; indeed aerosoltherapy management is listed as part of Italian PTs' core competence and in the core syllabus for post-graduate training in respiratory physiotherapy. The aim of this study was to outline the involvement of Italian PTs working in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) centres in the aerosol delivery practice. Methods: Physiotherapist coordinators (n = 29) of all Italian CF centres were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey and a semi-structured questionnaire was developed and sent by e-mail. Results: A response rate of 69 % was achieved. The majority of participants were woman and the overall mean professional experience was twenty years. Italian PTs are involved in the aerosol delivery practice, managing education, drug-device combination, dilution and mixing of drugs. Conclusions: Physiotherapists play a key role in the care of Italian CF patients; nevertheless the Italian Group of Physiotherapists might plan interventions to harmonize the aerosol delivery practice in Italian CF centres and to sustain continuing education.