scholarly journals Ohio Community Pharmacist Interest and Participation in Community-Clinical Linkages

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J Alexander ◽  
Natalie A DiPietro Mager
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
State Management ◽  
Disease State Management

Background: Community-clinical linkages have been promoted as a means to improve population health.  The community pharmacy is an ideal location for these partnerships to occur due to the expertise of the community pharmacist. While the need for these partnerships exists, there are limited data regarding community pharmacists’ current participation in such programs. Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to assess Ohio community pharmacists’ involvement and interest in community-clinical linkages.  Methods: An electronic survey tool containing 26 questions was developed to assess Ohio community pharmacists’ participation in community-clinical linkages and interest to develop such partnerships. The tool was sent via email to a random sample of 500 pharmacists registered in Ohio and practicing in a community setting.  Chi-square or Fisher exact nonparametric statistical tests were used as appropriate to identify whether there were any significant differences in current partnership or interest to partner with a prescriber who refers patients to their community pharmacy based on education (Bachelor of Science or Doctor of Pharmacy degree) or pharmacy location (urban, suburban, or rural).  Results: Nine emails were undeliverable, leaving a sample of 491 pharmacists.  Ninety-three (19%) responded to the survey.  Sixteen respondents (17%) indicated that they currently partner with a prescriber who refers patients to their pharmacy for assistance with medications or chronic disease state management; this practice was more often reported in urban settings (p=0.022).  Of those not currently participating in such a partnership, 53 (57%) were interested in developing one.  Thirty-two respondents (34%) reported providing referrals for at least 1 type of screening or counseling service.  For some types of services, pharmacists reported that they provide the service in the pharmacy and/or were interested to develop the service in the pharmacy rather than provide a referral.  However, for any given service there were a number of pharmacists who expressed interest in providing referrals although they were not currently doing so. Conclusion: This sample of Ohio community pharmacists reported limited participation in community-clinical linkages but interest to develop them.  Further studies should explore the pharmacists’ role and impact in such programs.   Article Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Rural Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreements Managing Patients in Supportive Living and Assisted Living Memory Care Facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Mattie Ann Haas ◽  
LuAnn Haas ◽  
Kristine Knoke ◽  
Michael Andreski
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Disease State ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
State Management ◽  
Disease State Management ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Memory Care

Setting: Supportive living and assisted living memory care facilities in a rural West-Central Illinois county. Objectives: 1) Evaluate the impact of active pharmacist participation on patient care for residents living in supportive and assisted living facilities, 2) demonstrate feasibility and financial sustainability of rural community pharmacists providing disease state management services, 3) create processes for best practice to expand the clinical role of the community pharmacist Design: Case study. Interventions: Participating residents received disease state management services provided by a community pharmacist as outlined through collaborative practice agreements with local physicians. The disease states managed included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and warfarin anticoagulation therapy. The pharmacist completed an initial chart review, initial face-to-face visit, subsequent monthly chart reviews, and monthly face-to-face visits with each resident. Results: During the 6-month period of community pharmacist management, 86 face-to-face visits were completed to deliver a median of 5 visits per resident. The pharmacist identified 23 drug therapy problems with recommended solutions communicated to the resident’s primary care provider. Providers accepted 19 of these recommendations, reflecting an 82.6% acceptance rate. Conclusions: Community pharmacists can feasibly implement enhanced clinical services to assist with disease state management of supportive living and assisted living residents in collaboration with physicians. Pharmacists can provide clinical assessment, education and effective communication to optimize medication management and utilization.   Article Type: Case Study

scholarly journals The coping strategies of community  pharmacists and pharmaceutical services provided during COVID-19 in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kok Pim Kua ◽  
Shaun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Pharmaceutical Services ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Number Of Customers

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in profound health challenges across the globe. Pharmacists’ readiness to cope with the pandemic is critical in supporting and sustaining the healthcare workforce to meet the challenges. Objective This study aims to examine community pharmacists’ views on their work environment, policies, and preparedness for safe retail patronage to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and assess the variables influencing coping strategies during the pandemic. Setting An online survey of pharmacists practicing in community pharmacy setting in Malaysia. Method A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia to evaluate coping strategies of community pharmacists and pharmaceutical services provided during COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 1 and July 31, 2020, the questionnaire was distributed to pharmacists working in community setting nationwide utilizing a snowball sampling method. Main outcome measure Community pharmacists’ perceptions on safety, resilience, organizational support, and pharmaceutical services offered during COVID-19 pandemic. Results A total of 217 pharmacists participated in the study. The vast majority of community pharmacists reported a positive outlook and were able to balance working with self-care during this period. Most reported to have access to personal protective equipment such as gloves and hand sanitizers. A large proportion of community pharmacies also installed physical barriers in doorways or in front of the counter, put markings on the ground to section areas to ensure physical distancing, and controlled the number of customers who could access the pharmacy during this period. Innovations reported to be implemented included teleconsultations and providing curb-side or drive-through delivery and pickup services. Conclusion The findings suggest the frontline and essential roles of community pharmacists in delivering pandemic responses, creating the opportunity to determine areas where community pharmacy services can be incorporated to strengthen the public health system and improve patient health outcomes.

scholarly journals Attitudes of Iraqi society towards the role of community pharmacists

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inas R. Ibrahim ◽  
Haydar F. Al Tukmagi ◽  
Abdulrasoul Wayyes
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Objectives: The main aims of this study were to assess society's use of community pharmacies; evaluate attitudes towards the role of the community pharmacist; and describe required pharmacist characteristics and future services. Study design: A cross-sectional survey with a stratified sampling technique. Methods: A self-administered, validated, questionnaire was distributed to 500 consumers in attendance at 50 community pharmacies in Baghdad, Iraq. Data were gathered from January to April 2012. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to test for statistical differences among the study variables. Further analysis through the Chi-square test and logistic regression was completed to assess the predictors of society's attitudes. Results: Twenty-six percent of respondents visited their community pharmacies at least once per week and an additional 65% reported visiting their pharmacy at least once per month. Fifty-five percent of respondents listed the community pharmacist as the first person they would contact in case of any drug-related problem. However, the pharmacist's role was under-appreciated by the majority of respondents (79.8%). These attitudes varied significantly with regard to the demographic characteristics of respondents. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender and age were the influential predictors of favourable versus non-favourable attitudes towards the role of pharmacist. Conclusions: The use of community pharmacies in Iraq was characterized by frequent visits to purchase medicines. Selection of the pharmacy primarily depended on its location. Overall, an under-appreciation of the professional performance of pharmacists was predominant. Raising public awareness towards the important role of community pharmacists in providing public health is warranted.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Characteristics of Patients Accepting and Declining Participation in a Transition of Care Service Provided by a Community Pharmacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne M Kowalski ◽  
Amanda R Margolis ◽  
Nicole Schreiner ◽  
Jeff Kirchner
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Transition Of Care ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives: To identify characteristics of patients who accepted or declined an appointment for a transition of care service provided by an independent community pharmacist and identify the most common reasons patients declined the service. Methods: A transition of care service was offered by a community pharmacy to patients discharged to home from the cardiac unit of a local hospital. The community pharmacist approached patients prior to discharge for recruitment into the service. Outcomes included service acceptance rate, LACE score at discharge, readmission risk category, age, gender, geographic home location, and reason for refusing the service. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to compare characteristics between those who accepted or declined the service. Reasons for decline were assessed using content analysis. Results: Of the 87 patients that were included in the analysis, 21 patients received the transitions of care service (24.1%). None of the characteristics were found to be statistically significant between patients who received or declined the service. Patients at a moderate risk for readmission seemed more likely to accept the pharmacist-run appointment than those at high risk (27.9% vs 15.3%; P = 0.29). Of the 66 patients who declined, 51 gave a reason (77.3%). Thirty-nine patients saw no benefit (76.5%), five patients had perceived barriers (10%), and seven patients gave reasons that fell into both categories (13.5%). Conclusions: This evaluation did not find a statistically significant difference in characteristics between those patients who accepted or declined participation in a pharmacist-run transition of care service. Patients may be less likely to accept pharmacist-run transition of care appointments primarily due to no perceived benefits. To increase participation, we need to understand the patient’s health beliefs, educate patients on pharmacy services, and implement changes to recruit potential patients. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The authors have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this evaluation. This evaluation was presented as a poster presentation at American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, March 4-7, 2016 and at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin Education Conference, April 5-6, 2016. This evaluation was presented as a podium presentation at Great Lakes Residency Conference, April 27-29, 2016.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Identifying medication-related needs of HIV patients: foundation for community pharmacist-based services

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yardlee Kauffman ◽  
Elana Barkowitz ◽  
Nicole Cerussi ◽  
Jan Pringle ◽  
Melissa McGivney
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Patient Perspectives ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Medication Therapy ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Patients living with HIV/AIDS have complex medication regimens. Pharmacists within community pharmacy settings can have a role managing patients living with HIV/AIDS. Patients' perspectives surrounding implementation about community pharmacist-based services is needed as limited information is available. Objective: To identify medication-related needs of HIV-infected patients who receive prescriptions from a community pharmacy. To determine patient perspectives and knowledge of community pharmacist-based services. Methods: A qualitative research study involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients was conducted. Inclusion criteria included: HIV positive men and women at least 18 years of age who receive care at a HIV clinic, currently take medication(s) and use a community pharmacy for all prescription fills. Patients were recruited from one urban and one rural health center. Patients answered questions about their perceptions and knowledge about the role and value of pharmacy services and completed a demographic survey. The recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed using principles of Grounded Theory. Results: Twenty-nine interviews were conducted: 15 participants from the urban site and 14 from the rural site. Five main themes emerged including: patients experience ongoing and varying medication-related needs; patients desire a pharmacist who is caring, knowledgeable and integrated with health care providers; patients expect ready access to drug therapy; patients value an individualized patient encounter, and patients need to be informed that a pharmacist-service exists. Conclusion: Patients with HIV value individualized and personal encounters with pharmacists at time intervals that are convenient for the patient. Patients felt that a one-on-one encounter with a pharmacist would be most valuable when initiating or modifying medication therapy. These patient perspectives can be useful for pharmacists and pharmacies interested in providing advanced care to patients with HIV.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Identifying Community Pharmacists' Readiness to Participate in Transitions of Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Gibson ◽  
Clark Kebodeaux ◽  
Daron Smith ◽  
Kellye Holtgrave ◽  
Nicole Gattas
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Hospital Readmission Rates ◽  
Patient Health

Objective: To determine the readiness of community pharmacists to participate in transitions of care and to identify barriers related to participation. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to identify community pharmacists’ willingness, attitudes, and barriers to participating in transitions of care programs. The questionnaire was piloted with community pharmacists prior to implementation. The questionnaire was distributed to a population of chain, supermarket/grocery, and independent community pharmacists (n=200). Descriptive statistics, correlations, and chi square tests were used to analyze demographic trends and final results. Results: Of the 200 questionnaires distributed, 147 pharmacists responded (73.5%). Community pharmacists agreed transitions of care services have the potential to improve patients’ understanding of medications (97.3%), decrease medication-related errors (95.9%), and enhance relationships with patients (96.6%). The largest pharmacist perceived barriers included time (69.7%), communication/lack of patient data (14.6%), and lack of physician acceptance (6.7%). Of the respondents who indicated time as the greatest barrier to participation, 76.9% of pharmacists were still willing to participate in transitions of care given the opportunity. Willingness to participate in transitions of care did not differ by gender (p=0.139), years in practice (p=0.133), or degree of education (p=0.382). Conclusion: Community pharmacists are in a unique position to widely impact patient health outcomes and decrease hospital readmission rates through improved care coordination. This research demonstrates community pharmacists’ readiness and willingness to participate in transitions of care. Awareness of perceived barriers can allow stakeholders to address these areas when designing and implementing transitions of care programs with pharmacists.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Differences in career paths and attributes of pharmacists completing a community pharmacy residency program (CPRP)

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy R. Ulbrich ◽  
Alex Adams ◽  
David R. Bright ◽  
Donald L. Sullivan ◽  
Evan Schnur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Residency Program ◽  
Career Paths ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Job Responsibilities ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Strongly Agree

Objective: To determine any differences in career paths and career attributes of pharmacists who have completed a PGY1 community pharmacy residency program (CPRP) as compared to those that have not completed a PGY1 CPRP. Methods: A web-based survey evaluating various aspects of community pharmacists' careers was distributed to 274 CPRP graduates in addition to a random sample of 7,376 community pharmacists. The survey contained 32 questions evaluating various career attributes. Questions that assessed level of agreement were on a 6-point Likert-type Scale (1=strongly disagree; 6=strongly agree). Results: A total of 353 participants completed the survey, with 224 indicating that they had not completed a CPRP. Pharmacists who completed a CPRP responded that they spend significantly more time on patient care services, teaching, and research, and spend less time dispensing medications compared to those that have not completed a CPRP. Compared to those that did not complete a CPRP, CPRP graduates were less likely to agree that current level of workload negatively impacts job performance, motivation to work, job satisfaction, mental/emotional health, and physical health. Conclusion: Pharmacists completing a CPRP noted significant differences in their current employment and job responsibilities. Additional expansion and education regarding the importance of CPRPs should be considered.   Type: Original Research

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