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AIM To investigate the perspective of physicians treating chronic airway diseases on the importance of device and substance characteristics influencing the compliance of patients with chronic obstructive airways diseases. OBJECTIVE We surveyed physicians' perspective on the impact of device and substance characteristics on patients' compliance. METHODS This study was carried out by running a structured questionnaire, to a total of 144 physicians, conducting personal interviews and evaluating answers on a scale from 1 for most to 6 for least important influencing parameter. RESULTS Overall, the most important parameters influencing patients' compliance according to physicians' perspective were rapid onset of action, type of inhalation device and duration of action. Adverse events were considered as the least important parameter. When COPD and asthma were examined separately, the most important parameters influencing compliance were rapid onset of action, ease of use and duration of action. Rapid onset of action was significantly more important in asthma than COPD. CONCLUSION Onset and duration of action and ease of use were classified higher as important parameters to increase patients' compliance, according to physicians' perspective.