WesternU College of Pharmacy professor talks on the BackTable podcast about the important role pharmacists play in asthma care

Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy Associate Professor Joelle Ayoub, BS, PharmD, BCACP, APh, discusses how ambulatory care pharmacists can partner with ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and allergy clinics to optimize asthma management on the BackTable ENT & Allergy podcast.  

Episode 289, titled “Pharmacist Impact on Asthma & COPD Care,” can be found here: https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/289/pharmacist-impact-on-asthma-copd-care’’ 

Dr. Ayoub and podcast host Dr. Basil Kahwash discuss common gaps in asthma care, with a focus on inhaler technique and medication adherence. She explains how device complexity, cost, and a patient’s ability to use their inhaler can all affect treatment.  

Dr. Ayoub also reviews the major inhaler types, common technique errors, and what to consider when choosing the right device for each patient. With this, she shares practical approaches to adherence monitoring, asthma guideline updates, and biologic monitoring. 

Throughout, Dr. Ayoub emphasizes the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration and how pharmacists can help bridge gaps in care for patients with asthma.   

“It was an honor to be invited to the BackTable ENT & Allergy podcast as a pharmacist. Pharmacists are essential members of the patient care team, including the management of respiratory chronic conditions,” Dr. Ayoub said. “Respiratory care is a clinical interest of mine, and a topic I teach to the second-year pharmacy students at the WesternU College of Pharmacy. I am grateful I had the opportunity to highlight the impact pharmacists can have on patient care and the many opportunities for collaboration across health care disciplines. Pharmacist involvement can lead to better understanding and adherence to treatment through patient education, which is critical to ensuring patients use their inhalers correctly, a step that is often overlooked before escalating therapy. Thank you to the BackTable team for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this series!”  

About BackTable ENT Podcast 

The BackTable ENT podcast is a resource for otolaryngologists to learn tips, techniques, and practical advice on all things ear, nose, and throat. The BackTable Otolaryngology Podcast provides candid conversations about rhinology, laryngology, otology, and head and neck surgery.