scholarly journals Quality improvement in community pharmacy: a qualitative investigation of the impact of a postgraduate quality improvement educational module on pharmacists understanding and practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Nargis Gulzar ◽  
Sejal Gohil ◽  
Theo Ansong
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Educational Module ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Motivation For Learning ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective Quality improvement (QI) is increasingly featuring in the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) agenda to promote safety, effectiveness and patient experience. However, the use of QI techniques by healthcare professionals appears limited and constrained with only isolated examples of good practice. This study explores QI within the pharmacy context. Focusing on the community pharmacy ‘Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme’, this study aims to explore changes in QI understanding resulting from a postgraduate QI educational intervention. Methods Four focus groups were held involving 13 community pharmacists enrolled onto a newly developed postgraduate QI educational module. Two focus groups were held before and two after the module’s completion. Knowledge of QI and practical applications following the learning was explored. Key findings Three themes emerged: pharmacists’ motivation for learning about QI, conceptual understanding and translation into practice. Pharmacists expressed positive views about learning new skills but expressed logistical concerns about how they would accommodate the extra learning. Prior knowledge of QI was found to be lacking and its application in practice ineffectual. Following completion of the QI module, significant improvements in comprehension and application were seen. Pharmacists considered it too soon to make an assessment on patient outcomes as their improvements required time to effectively embed changes in practice. Conclusions Quality improvement forms an important part of the NHS quality and safety agenda; however, community pharmacists may not currently have adequate knowledge of QI principles. The postgraduate educational intervention showed promising results in pharmacist’s knowledge, organisational culture and application in practice.

scholarly journals Engaging community pharmacists in quality improvement (QI): a qualitative case study of a partnership between a Higher Education Institute and Local Pharmaceutical Committees

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001047
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Nargis Gulzar ◽  
Fiona Lowe ◽  
Theo Ansong ◽  
Sejal Gohil
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Educational Institute ◽  
Collaboration And Communication ◽  
Improve Service Quality ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) involves the use of systematic tools and methods to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. However, awareness and application of QI among healthcare professionals is poor and new strategies are needed to engage them in this area.ObjectivesThis study describes an innovative collaboration between one Higher Educational Institute (HEI) and Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) to develop a postgraduate QI module aimed to upskill community pharmacists in QI methods. The study explores pharmacist engagement with the learning and investigates the impact on their practice.MethodsDetails of the HEI–LPCs collaboration and communication with pharmacist were recorded. Focus groups were held with community pharmacists who enrolled onto the module to explore their motivation for undertaking the learning, how their knowledge of QI had changed and how they applied this learning in practice. A constructivist qualitative methodology was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe study found that a HEI–LPC partnership was feasible in developing and delivering the QI module. Fifteen pharmacists enrolled and following its completion, eight took part in one of two focus groups. Pharmacists reported a desire to extend and acquire new skills. The HEI–LPC partnership signalled a vote of confidence that gave pharmacists reassurance to sign up for the training. Some found returning to academia challenging and reported a lack of time and organisational support. Despite this, pharmacists demonstrated an enhanced understanding of QI, were more analytical in their day-to-day problem-solving and viewed the learning as having a positive impact on their team’s organisational culture with potential to improve service quality for patients.ConclusionsWith the increased adoption of new pharmacist’s roles and recent changes to governance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a HEI–LPC collaborative approach could upskill pharmacists and help them acquire skills to accommodate new working practices.

scholarly journals Qualitative study using interviews and focus groups to explore the current and potential for antimicrobial stewardship in community pharmacy informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e025101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Ffion Jones ◽  
Rebecca Owens ◽  
Anna Sallis ◽  
Diane Ashiru-Oredope ◽  
Tracey Thornley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesCommunity pharmacists and their staff have the potential to contribute to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). However, their barriers and opportunities are not well understood. The aim was to investigate the experiences and perceptions of community pharmacists and their teams around AMS to inform intervention development.DesignInterviews and focus groups were used to explore the views of pharmacists, pharmacy staff, general practitioners (GPs), members of pharmacy organisations and commissioners. The questioning schedule was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework which helped inform recommendations to facilitate AMS in community pharmacy.Results8 GPs, 28 pharmacists, 13 pharmacy staff, 6 representatives from pharmacy organisations in England and Wales, and 2 local stakeholders participated.Knowledge and skills both facilitated or hindered provision of self-care and compliance advice by different grades of pharmacy staff. Some staff were not aware of the impact of giving self-care and compliance advice to help control antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The pharmacy environment created barriers to AMS; this included lack of time of well-qualified staff leading to misinformation from underskilled staff to patients about the need for antibiotics or the need to visit the GP, this was exacerbated by lack of space. AMS activities were limited by absent diagnoses on antibiotic prescriptions.Several pharmacy staff felt that undertaking patient examinations, questioning the rationale for antibiotic prescriptions and performing audits would allow them to provide more tailored AMS advice.ConclusionsInterventions are required to overcome a lack of qualified staff, time and space to give patients AMS advice. Staff need to understand how self-care and antibiotic compliance advice can help control AMR. A multifaceted educational intervention including information for staff with feedback about the advice given may help. Indication for a prescription would enable pharmacists to provide more targeted antibiotic advice. Commissioners should consider the pharmacists’ role in examining patients, and giving advice about antibiotic prescriptions.

scholarly journals Qualitative assessment of patients’ perspectives and needs from community pharmacists in substance use disorder management

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Fatani ◽  
Daniel Bakke ◽  
Marcel D’Eon ◽  
Anas El-Aneed
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Non-medical use of psychoactive substances is a common harmful behavior that leads to the development of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). SUD is a significant health concern that causes adverse health consequences and elevates the economic burden on the health care system. SUD treatment plans that utilize a patient-centered approach have demonstrated improved treatment outcomes. It is essential for health care providers, including community pharmacists, to understand patients’ needs and prioritize them. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the perspective of patients living with SUDs or who used substances non-medically regarding community pharmacist services and the delivery of services in a community pharmacy setting. The study took place in Saskatoon, a small urban center of Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods Qualitative methodology was used for this research inquiry. Four focus groups were conducted, with a total of 20 individuals who had experienced substance use and accessed community pharmacy services. The discussion of the four focus groups was transcribed verbatim and analyzed independently by two researchers. Agreement on the emergent themes was reached through discussion between the two researchers. Results Data analysis resulted in four themes that described participants’ perspectives about community pharmacists. The four emergent themes are: 1) conflicted experiences with community pharmacists, 2) lack of knowledge concerning community pharmacists’ extended services, 3) negative experiences in Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) program, and 4) needs from community pharmacists. Conclusion There is significant potential for the patient-pharmacist relationship to address the varying needs of patients who use substances and improve their overall health care experience. Patients who use substances are receptive to pharmacists’ services beyond dispensary; however, respectful communication, provision of drug-related information, and counseling are among the primary demands. Future research should focus on studying the impact of meeting the needs of patients on their treatment outcomes.

Qualitative Assessment of Patients’ Perspectives and Needs from Community Pharmacists in Substance Use Disorder Management

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Fatani ◽  
Daniel Bakke ◽  
Marcel D’Eon ◽  
Anas El-Aneed
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major health concern affecting Canadians and their health care system. SUD treatment plans addressing patients’ needs and choices have demonstrated improved treatment outcomes. It is essential for health care providers, including community pharmacists, to understand patients' needs and prioritize them. Therefore, this study explores the perspective of patients living with SUD regarding community pharmacist services and the delivery of care in a community pharmacy setting located in the small urban center of, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.Methods: A qualitative methodology was used for this research inquiry. Four focus groups were conducted in Saskatoon, with a total of 20 individuals who had experienced substance use and accessed community pharmacy services. The discussion of the four focus groups was transcribed verbatim and analyzed independently by two researchers. Agreement on the emergent themes was reached through discussion between the two researchers. Results: Data analysis resulted in four themes that described participants' perspectives about community pharmacists. The four emergent themes are: 1) experience of people living with SUD in a community pharmacy, 2) services provided by community pharmacists, 3) the methadone maintenance program, and 4) needs from community pharmacists. Conclusion: There is significant potential for the patient-pharmacist relationship to address the varying needs of patients living with SUD and improve their overall health care experience. Patients who use substances are receptive to pharmacists' services beyond dispensary; however, respectful communication, provision of drug-related information, and counseling are among the primary demands. Future research should focus on studying the impact of meeting the needs of patients on their treatment outcomes.

scholarly journals Exploring the independent prescribing role of the community pharmacists in Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i35-i35
Author(s):  
S S Alghamdi ◽  
R Deslandes ◽  
S White ◽  
K Hodson ◽  
A Mackridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
Independent Prescribing ◽  
General Practices ◽  
The Government ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Since 2019, the role of independent pharmacist prescribers (IPPs) in primary care has extended to community pharmacies in Wales [1]. This was in response to a Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee report in 2019 that outlined a plan to include an IPP in each community pharmacy in Wales by 2030. This aimed to relieve pressure on general practices, enhance patient care and reduce referral and admission rates to secondary care [2]. As funding was provided by the Government, the number of community pharmacists completing the independent prescribing course increased and many have implemented their prescribing role. Aim To explore the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role within community pharmacies in Wales. Methods Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with community IPPs from all seven health boards (HBs) in Wales. Ethical approval was obtained from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University and the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele University. Purposive sampling was used to identify potential participants. Gatekeepers (HB community pharmacy leads and directors of IPP courses in Wales) sent invitation emails, participant information sheet and consent form to potential participants. Written consent was obtained. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed ad verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Thirteen community IPPs across Wales participated. Six themes were identified, including the utilisation of their role as community IPPs, their experiences with their independent prescribing training, motivation to obtain their prescribing qualification and utilise it, the impact, barriers and facilitators to implement and utilise their role. Participants practised as IPPs in the management of minor ailments and some other conditions, such as respiratory and sexual health. The course and training for community IPPs was helpful, but there was a need to focus more on therapeutic and clinical examination skills. The main impact of the role was that it helped to improve communication between community pharmacies and general practices and relieved some pressure on general practices. The main barriers were the lack of appropriate funding by the Government to develop the role, lack of access to patients’ medical records, lack of support and high workload. “One of the areas identified as high risk is for pharmacy prescribers is the lack of access to clinical records. How can you [as community IPPs] make any sensible decisions with half the information?” IPP6 Facilitators included that some services were already in place and the drive from the 2030 vision. Conclusion This is the first study that explored the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role in community pharmacies in Wales. It provided an insight into this new role that can be considered by the Welsh Government to achieve the 2030 vision for this role. A limitation to this study was that the role is still new in community pharmacies, which may affect the views of the community IPPs. Many of them have obtained their prescribing qualification but have not started to utilise it yet. Further work is needed to explore a wider population of community IPPs’ experiences as the role develops. References 1. Wickware, C. 2019. All community pharmacies in Wales to have an independent prescriber as part of long-term plan for Welsh pharmacy. Available at: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/all-community-pharmacies. 2. Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee. 2019. Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales. Available at: https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/RPS%2.

Community Pharmacy Practice and an Aging Population

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-124
Author(s):  
Edward D. Sumner ◽  
Ronald P. Durand ◽  
Carol J. Lancaster ◽  
George E. Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Pharmacy Curriculum ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To determine pharmacists' perceptions of the influence of older patients on community pharmacy practice. Data Sources: A mailing list obtained from the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy provided names of community pharmacists by practice setting and gender. Design: A questionnaire was mailed in July 1990 to a random sample of community pharmacists in South Carolina. The questionnaire contained 41 Likert-type opinion statements. Demographic questions relating to practice type and location, pharmacists' educational experiences, and position were included. Data Synthesis: The opinion statements were examined by grouping respondents on the basis of demographic information. Analysis of variance or Student's t-test was used to look for differences among survey responses among various groups of pharmacists. Scheffe's test was used to compare means when the groups were significantly different. The a priori level of significance was 0.05. Critical values were adjusted by the number of statements considered to preserve the error rate at five percent (Bonferroni procedure). Conclusions: The strongest indicator of the impact of the elderly population on community pharmacy is pharmacists' perceived need for more continuing education in geriatrics and gerontology. Economic problems, physician overprescribing, and patient compliance were ranked as the three most difficult aspects of geriatric pharmacy. This study reinforces the need to incorporate geriatric/gerontology education into every pharmacy curriculum.

scholarly journals Co-designing a Community Pharmacy Pharmacogenomics Testing Service In The UK

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Rendell ◽  
Julie Barnett ◽  
David Wright
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Implementation Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Interprofessional Relationship

Abstract Introduction: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing services have been delivered through community pharmacies across the globe, though not yet in the UK. This paper is reporting a focus group study, the first stage of a participatory co-design process to increase the chance of a successful implementation of a PGx service through community pharmacy in the UK.Aim: To identify the barriers and enablers to implementing a community pharmacy based PGx service in the UK.Method: Three focus groups were conducted with community pharmacists (n= 10), prescribers (n= 8) and patients (n=8) in England. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using the Braun and Clarke six step reflexive thematic analysis approach.Results: The analysis identified five themes about PGx testing in community pharmacies: (1) In- principle receptiveness, (2) Appreciation of the benefits, (3) Lack of implementation resources (4) Ambiguity about implications for implementation and (5) Interprofessional relationship challenges.Conclusion: The identified enablers for implementation of a PGx service were at a macro health system strategic level; the concerns were more at a granular operational procedural level. Overall receptiveness was noted by all three participant groups, and both prescriber and pharmacist groups appreciated the potential benefits for patients and the healthcare system. Prior to implementation in the UK, there is a need to disambiguate health professional’s concerns of the guidance, resources, and knowledge required to set up and deliver the service and to resolve patient concerns about the nature of genomics.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES OF RURAL COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS OF MYSURU DISTRICT TOWARD ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
Srikanth M S ◽  
Adepu R
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Drug Reaction ◽  
Drug Reaction ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
The Impact

Objective: A prospective interventional study was conducted to evaluate the impact of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP)(of rural community pharmacists toward adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting.Methods: A validated KAP questionnaire was administered on the enrolled community pharmacists in the study. SPSS software package version-19 was used to calculate the influence of educational intervention on KAP scores of the participants. Pre-training KAP scores were compared with the post-training KAP scores.Results: About 49 community pharmacists have participated in the study, 95.91% (n=47) were males, and 4.08% (n=2) were females. The mean±SD age of the participants was 40.93±7.84 years. The mean ± SD score in the knowledge component was significantly increased from 4.87±2.015 to 7.09 ± 0.68 (n=49, p<0.05). After the educational intervention, 77.55% (n=38) of participants could correctly define the ADRs, and 73.46% (n=36) of participants were aware of the consequence of ADRs. About 57.34% of participants disagree with the statement reporting of ADRs incurs the addtional workload with post education intervention. At the end of the study, the participants’ knowledge was significantly increased and participant pharmacists felt responsible toward ADR reporting.Conclusion: Educational interventional program have shown a tremendous change in knowledge and awareness of the respondents towards adverse drug reaction monitoring and reporting. It is well understood that there is a need for promoting the pharmacovigilance activities among community pharmacists.

scholarly journals Towards equity: a qualitative exploration of the implementation and impact of a digital educational intervention for pharmacy professionals in England

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Justin Waring ◽  
Kristian Pollock ◽  
Josie Solomon ◽  
Nargis Gulzar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Medication Review ◽  
Normalisation Process Theory ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Medicines Management ◽  
Marginalised Groups ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Patients belonging to marginalised (medically under-served) groups experience problems with medicines (i.e. non-adherence, side effects) and poorer health outcomes largely due to inequitable access to healthcare (arising from poor governance, cultural exclusion etc.). In order to promote service equity and outcomes for patients, the focus of this paper is to explore the implementation and impact of a new co-produced digital educational intervention on one National Health Service (NHS) funded community pharmacy medicines management service. Methods Semi-structured interviews with a total of 32 participants. This included a purposive sample of 22 community pharmacy professionals, (16 pharmacists and 6 pharmacy support staff) all who offered the medicine management service. In order to obtain a fuller picture of the barriers to learning, five professionals who were unable to complete the learning were also included. Ten patients (from a marginalised group) who had received the service (as a result of the digital educational intervention) were also interviewed. Drawing on an interpretative analysis, Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used as a theoretical framework. Results Three themes are explored. The first is how the digital learning intervention was implemented and applied. Despite being well received, pharmacists found it challenging completing and cascading the learning due to organisational constraints (e.g. lack of time, workload). Using the four NPT constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring) the second theme exposes the impact of the learning and the organisational process of ‘normalisation’. Professional reflective accounts revealed instances where inequitable access to health services were evident. Those completing the intervention felt more aware, capable and better equipped to engage with the needs of patients who were from a marginalised group. Operationally there was minimal structural change in service delivery constraining translation of learning to practice. The impact on patients, explored in our final theme, revealed that they experience significant disadvantage and problems with their medicines. The medication review was welcomed and the discussion with the pharmacist was helpful in addressing their medicine-related concerns. Conclusions The co-produced digital educational intervention increases pharmacy professionals’ awareness and motivation to engage with marginalised groups. However structural barriers often hindered translation into practice. Patients reported significant health and medicine challenges that were going unnoticed. They welcomed the additional support the medication review offered. Policy makers and employers should better enable and facilitate ways for pharmacy professionals to better engage with marginalised groups. The impact of the educational intervention on patients’ health and medicines management could be substantial if supported and promoted effectively.

scholarly journals Insights on Allergic Rhinitis Management from a Northern Cyprus Perspective and Evaluation of the Impact of Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Patients’ Outcomes

Medicina ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günay Arsoy ◽  
Ahmet Varış ◽  
Louai Saloumi ◽  
Abdikarim Abdi ◽  
Bilgen Başgut
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Northern Cyprus ◽  
Bothersome Symptom ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nose And Throat

Background and objective: the global prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is rising and yet there is scarce information concerning the diagnosis, management and treatment patterns of AR in Northern Cyprus (NC). This study aims to provide a unique perspective on AR management as well as assessing the effectiveness of the pharmacist-led educational intervention for improving care of AR patients. Methods: across-sectional survey was carried out with community pharmacists (n = 70), patients (n = 138) and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists (n = 12) in NC. For a controlled interventional trial, trained pharmacists provided a brief education on management of AR and nasal spray technique for patients while other pharmacists provided the usual care. Quality of life (QoL) and other outcome measures on the perceived symptom severity of the two groups were compared after a 6-week period. Results: only 33.3% of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists and 15.7% of the community pharmacists are aware of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines. The majority of patients (63%) self-managed with over-the-counter medications. Nasal congestion (96.4%) is the most bothersome symptom and oral antihistamines are the most commonly purchased medications (51.4%), indicating a pattern of suboptimal management. The pharmacists-led educational intervention has resulted in statistically more significant improvement in regards to nasal congestion and QoL for the intervention group patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the current management of AR has not been in accordance with the ARIA guidelines in NC. An educational intervention of the pharmacists can enhance the symptom management and improve the QoL in patients with AR.

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