scholarly journals The BC Community Pharmacy Asthma Study: A Study of Clinical, Economic and Holistic Outcomes Influenced by an Asthma Care Protocol Provided by Specially Trained Community Pharmacists in British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Mclean ◽  
Jane Gillis ◽  
Ron Waller

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in recent years, asthma morbidity and mortality have been noted to be on the increase in the past decade. The present study examined the failures and recommendations of past studies and introduced a new milieu for asthma care - the community pharmacy. The study incorporated a care protocol with the important ingredients of asthma education on medications, triggers, self-monitoring and an asthma plan, with pharmacists taking responsibility for outcomes, assessment of a patient's readiness to change and tailoring education to that readiness, compliance monitoring and physician consultation to achieve asthma prescribing guidelines.METHODS: Thirty-three pharmacists in British Columbia, specially trained and certified in asthma care, agreed to participate in a study in which experienced pharmacists would have asthma patients allocated to enhanced (pharmaceutical) care (EC) or usual care (UC). Pharmacists less experienced were clustered by geography and had their pharmacies randomized to two levels of care; each pharmacy then had patients randomized to EC versus control, UC versus control or EC versus UC depending on their pharmacy randomization. Six hundred thirty-one patients provided consent, of which 225 in EC or UC were analyzed for all outcomes. Patients were followed for one year.RESULTS: Compared with patients in the UC group, the results of those in the EC group were as follows: symptom scores decreased by 50%; peak flow readings increased by 11%; days off work or school were reduced by approximately 0.6 days/month; use of inhaled beta-agonists was reduced by 50%; overall quality of life improved by 19%, and the specific domains of activity limitations, symptoms and emotional function also improved; initial knowledge scores doubled; emergency room visits decreased by 75%; and medical visits decreased by 75%. A patient satisfaction survey revealed that the population was extremely pleased with their pharmacy services. Cost analysis reinforces the EC model, which is more cost effective than UC in terms of most direct and indirect costs in asthma patients.CONCLUSION: Specially trained community pharmacists in Canada, using a pharmaceutical care-based protocol, can produce impressive improvements in clinical, economic and humanistic outcome measures in asthma patients. The health care system needs to produce incentives for such care.

2009 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Nadaira ◽  
Catherine Ouellet ◽  
Nola René-Henri ◽  
Yvonne Khamla ◽  
Johanne Collin ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known about current pharmacists' interventions related to drug counselling and monitoring in asthma, along with the barriers and facilitators to these, in the province of Quebec. Objectives: To identify and explore organizational, relational and professional factors that influence community pharmacists' interventions in asthma care and propose solutions to overcome the barriers to these interventions. Methods: In 2006, a survey and an invitation to participate in a focus group were sent to community pharmacists in Quebec. Three focus groups were held to discuss the results of the survey about community pharmacists' interventions in asthma and the factors influencing these interventions, along with solutions to identified barriers. Each focus group lasted for approximately 120 minutes and was moderated by 2 investigators. Results: Seventeen community pharmacists participated in the study. One focus group was held with pharmacy owners, 1 with salaried pharmacists who graduated before 1990 and 1 with salaried pharmacists who graduated after 1996. Owners and salaried pharmacists of different years of graduation generally made the same comments. Most pharmacists reported intervening with asthma patients, especially when initial prescriptions were filled. Lack of time and unclear definition of tasks were reported as barriers. Solutions were proposed to resolve barriers, such as clearly defining tasks and ensuring quick access to support materials for patient education and drug monitoring. Conclusion: Community pharmacists report intervening in asthma care mostly when patients fill their initial prescription. Several barriers to follow-up interventions were identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4-s) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Shuhd Alawi ◽  
Nazeh Al-Abd ◽  
Ali Rageh ◽  
Wafa F.S. Badulla ◽  
Mohammed Alshakka

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) is the value of a practice that includes recognizing and solving medication therapy issues to improve patient outcomes. Studies regarding this issue in Yemen are very limited. Objectives: The study aims to assess the perception of community pharmacists to the concept of Pharmaceutical care and the obstacles that limit the provision of pharmaceutical care. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study of community pharmacy dispensers (CPDs) was conducted among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies in different areas of South Yemen from September 2019 until December 2019. The structured self-administered questionnaires consist of four sections dealing with the demographics of participants and their understanding of the concept of pharmaceutical care and their attitudes and obstacles to the implementation of pharmaceutical care in Yemen. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 Results: A total of Two-hundred pharmacists were included in this study. The result revealed that there were a reasonable number of experts (over 5 years' experience) and educated pharmacists( Diploma and bachelor’s degree) available for counseling patients about specific issues in the community pharmacies. Interestingly, all the respondents had good knowledge of pharmaceutical care and the majority of the pharmacists (87.5%) had a favorable attitude toward pharmaceutical care and their role in the health care system. The overall results relating to the perceived frequency of community pharmacy services provision was lower than (50%) in most statements. The result indicated a gap in the community pharmacists' communication with the patients. There are several barriers impedes the active and effective involvement of community pharmacists such as; insufficient communication with physicians, lack of physical space for pharmaceutical care, the slow introduction of pharmacists’ law, and others. Conclusion: The results revealed that pharmacists' understanding of the pharmaceutical care concept is good despite that there was no real implementation of pharmaceutical care. Even though they had positive attitudes towards the concept but there were many barriers to the effective application. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Care Concept; Community Pharmacists; South Yemen


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e023198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Alhusein ◽  
Leah Macaden ◽  
Annetta Smith ◽  
Kathleen M Stoddart ◽  
Andrea J Taylor ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the pharmaceutical care needs of, and service provision to, older people with sensory impairment (visual, hearing and dual impairment) on prescribed polypharmacy (≥4 medicines) in Scotland.DesignInterviews were conducted with older people with sensory impairment and community pharmacy personnel, which informed the content of a subsequent national cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists.SettingScotland, 2015–2016.ParticipantsOlder people with sensory impairment and community pharmacy personnel.ResultsInterviews were completed with 23 older people with sensory impairment (dual impairment n=13, visual or hearing impairment n=5 of each) and 30 community pharmacy personnel from eight of 14 Scottish Health Boards. A total of 171 survey responses were received.Older people reported that they did not always disclose their sensory impairment to pharmacy personnel. They also reported that medicines were difficult to identify particularly when their name, shape or colour changed. Pharmacy personnel relied on visible cues such as white canes or guide dogs to identify visual impairment and suggested that hearing loss was less visible and more difficult to identify. Many assistive aids in support of medicine management, such as dosette boxes, seemed inadequate for complex medication regimens. Few community pharmacy personnel reported receiving training in the care of people with sensory impairment.ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive, multistakeholder, in-depth exploration of the pharmaceutical care needs of older people with sensory impairment. Strategies are needed to enable people with sensory impairment to disclose their impairment to pharmacy personnel (and other healthcare providers). Community pharmacy personnel require training to deliver person-centred pharmaceutical care for older people with sensory impairment particularly regarding communication with individuals in this vulnerable population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (02) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Maja Simonoska Crcarevska ◽  
Nikola Geskovski ◽  
Marija Glavas Dodov ◽  
Tatjana Sterjeva ◽  
Kristina Karadzinska ◽  
...  

Over the past decade, numerous changes have taken place across the community pharmacy (CP) sector in the Republic of Macedonia (RM). The overall aim of this study is to analyze patients` perception and opinion regarding the Community pharmacy sector and its recognizable role in health care system in RM. Additionally, this study focusses on factors affecting patients` choice of the certain CP and perception of the quality of the CP premises. The survey covered randomly selected patients of those visiting community pharmacies in all 8 regions of the country. An anonymous semi-open questionnaire consisting of 21 items was structured, which covered three main groups of questions related to: socio-demographic factors of the respondents, reasons influencing respondents` choice of the certain CP and respondents’ opinion and impressions of community pharmacists` expertise and quality of offered services in CP settings. The obtained results have confirmed that 69.82% of respondents showed loyalty to the same CP. These findings were supported by tree main reasons: (1) the pharmacist and professional staff working in certain CP (74.19%), (2) CP keeps up a satisfactory supply (69.68%) and (3) CP is situated in a convenient location (61.94%). The overall patients’ perception of elements of pharmaceutical care services provided in CP was that they are on a high level (above 80%). Despite the encouraging results obtained, this study can serve as a core element for continuous monitoring and quality improvement of the national CPs network in near future. Keywords: community pharmacists, pharmaceutical care, patients’ opinion and perception


Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Y. Urick ◽  
Emily V. Meggs

The history of community pharmacy in America since the 1920s is one of slow progress towards greater professional standing through changes in pharmacy education and practice. The history of American community pharmacy in the modern era can be divided into four periods: 1920–1949 (Soda Fountain Era), 1950–1979 (Lick, Stick, Pour and More Era), 1980–2009 (Pharmaceutical Care Era), and 2010–present (Post-Pharmaceutical Care Era). As traditional compounding has waned, leaders within community pharmacy have sought to shift focus from product to patient. Increasing degree requirements and postgraduate training have enhanced pharmacists’ ability to provide patient care services not directly associated with medication dispensing. However, the realities of practice have often fallen short of ideal visions of patient-focused community pharmacy practice. Positive trends in the recognition of the impact of community pharmacists on healthcare value and the need for more optimal medication management suggest that opportunities for community pharmacists to provide patient care may expand through the 21st century.


Author(s):  
Hong Chen ◽  
Carolina Oi Lam Ung ◽  
Peilian Chi ◽  
Jihong Wu ◽  
Daisheng Tang ◽  
...  

While patient-centered care is highly anticipated nowadays, investigation of consumers’ perceptions and expectations about pharmacist’s pharmaceutical care when providing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is sparse. This article aimed to explore consumers’ perceptions regarding the pharmaceutical care that community pharmacists provide in relation to OTC drugs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with consumers recruited (N = 97) in Yinchuan City, China. The 4 main themes that emerged were expectations on pharmaceutical care, attitude toward pharmacist’s competence, experience of self-medication, and suggestions for improving pharmaceutical care. Most participants had high expectations on community pharmacists to recommend the right medicines, to advise them about the effective use of drug, to advise them about the safe use of drug, and to recommend economic drugs. However, their previous experiences at community pharmacy were far from satisfaction reportedly, leading to a general distrust in pharmacist’s certification and qualification, knowledge, communication skills, and attitude. As a result, the participants turned to self-medication based on their personal experiences, their relatives’ experiences, the information on drug label, and the information distributed in the mass media. Realizing the need to improve pharmaceutical care, the participants also made improvement suggestions specific to community pharmacist, community pharmacy, and the government.


2017 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Quoc Duong Doan ◽  
Thi Ha Vo

Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in counseling of rational drug use for population. The study aimed to characterize counselling activities of drug use and demand of counselling tools at some community pharmacies at Hue City. Materials and method: A 17-question survey were asked to fill pharmacy staffs of a convenient sample of 100 community pharmacies at Hue City from 2/2017 to 7/2017. Results: There were 58 pharmacies (58.0%) answered this survey. Cough, headache, fever, high blood pressure and diabetes were the most popular symptoms/diseases presented in pharmacies. Patients often need counselling about dose (82.8%) and when to take medicine (79.3%). The main bariers for counselling were a lack of time (53.4%), and of skills/medthods for counseling (31.7%). About 96.6% pharmacies demanded counselling tools and favorite formats were book (32.9%) or pocket handbook (29.3%). Conclusion: Most pharmacies demanded counselling tools. Other studies should be conducted to develop supporting tools for counseling and to assess the quality of counseling in pharmacies. Key words: community pharmacy, counseling of drug use, pharmacist, Hue


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i35-i35
Author(s):  
S S Alghamdi ◽  
R Deslandes ◽  
S White ◽  
K Hodson ◽  
A Mackridge ◽  
...  

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.


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