scholarly journals Australian Community Pharmacy Harm-Minimisation Services: Scope for Service Expansion to Improve Healthcare Access

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Sara S. McMillan ◽  
Hidy Chan ◽  
Laetitia H. Hattingh
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Harm Minimisation ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Education Support

Community pharmacies are well positioned to participate in harm-minimisation services to reduce harms caused by both licit and illicit substances. Considering developments in pharmacist practices and the introduction of new professional pharmacy services, we identified a need to explore the contemporary role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the opinions of stakeholders, pharmacy staff, and clients about the role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation, including provision of current services, experiences, and expectations. Participants (n = 28) included 5 stakeholders, 9 consumers, and 14 staff members from seven community pharmacies. Three over-arching themes were identified across the three participants groups: (i) scope and provision, (ii) complexity, and (iii) importance of person-centred advice and support in relation to community pharmacy harm minimisation services. Community pharmacies are valuable healthcare destinations for delivery of harm minimisation services, with scope for service expansion. Further education, support, and remuneration are needed, as well as linkage to other sector providers, in order to ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy staff are well equipped to provide a range of harm minimisation services.

scholarly journals T.E.A.M.S.Work: Leveraging Technicians to Enhance ABM Med Sync in Community Pharmacies

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamera D. Hughes ◽  
Lana M. Minshew ◽  
Stacey Cutrell ◽  
Stefanie P. Ferreri
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Prescription Volume

The expansion of pharmacy technicians’ roles in community pharmacies allows pharmacists the opportunity to focus on providing clinical services to patients. This study explores the tasks pharmacy technicians’ perform to support Med Sync programs in community pharmacies. Pharmacy staff members at North Carolina pharmacies with more than fifty percent of their prescription volume being dispensed as part of a Med Sync program were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Inductive coding and summary analysis were used to analyze the interview data. Study participants described pharmacy technicians’ roles in identifying patients for marketing and enrollment, reviewing patients’ medications list, choosing alignment dates based on patient preference, contacting patients in preparation for dispensing and, lastly, engaging in pickup or delivery of medications. This study highlights technicians’ vital role in completing tasks that support Med Sync programs in community pharmacies.

scholarly journals Public health services at community pharmacies and strategies for expanding the role of pharmacists

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kazaryan ◽  
A Sevikyan ◽  
A Amirkhanyan ◽  
L Vardanyan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Public Health Activity

Abstract Pharmacy practice is evolving and the role of pharmacists in public health is expanding in many countries. The objective of this work was to analyse involvement of community pharmacy staff in public health activities, as well as to identify opinion of pharmacy professionals about strategies for expanding their public health role in Armenia. Survey was conducted in different regions of Armenia. Pharmacists and technicians working in community pharmacies were asked to complete pre-tested questionnaire that includes questions about their involvement in public health activity, motivation and opinion on strategies for improvement of the situation. 162 pharmacy professionals completed the questionnaire. Data were analysed with SPSS statistical software, version 22.0. 76.5% of responders indicated that they agree that community pharmacy practice should involve provision of public health services. Only 22.2% of community pharmacists and technicians reported that they are currently engaged in any public health activity. The main reasons for providing public health services indicated by responders are professional responsibility (84.6%), patients' satisfaction (66.0%) and personal satisfaction (63.6%). 80.2% of responders suppose that providing public health services in community pharmacies can have an impact on improving population health. Respondents indicated strategies which could be effective for expanding pharmacists' role in public health: increasing public awareness (82.7%), expanding pharmacists' knowledge (82.1%) and guidelines (71.6%). Only part of pharmacy professionals is engaged in public health activity. Many of them believe that certain strategies are able to improve the situation with involvement of community pharmacy staff in providing public health services in Armenia. Key messages Pharmacists are motivated to implement public health services. Special strategies should be introduced to increase engagement of pharmacists in public health.

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.

High Aspirations Amidst Challenging Situations: Narratives of Six Vulnerable Primary School Children in Swaziland

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 797-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ncamsile Daphne Motsa ◽  
Pholoho Justice Morojele
Keyword(s):  
Social Constructionism ◽  
Educational Aspirations ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Parental Guidance ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
Education Support

Informed by social constructionism, this article explores the educational aspirations, fears and support mechanisms required to enhance the schooling experiences of vulnerable children in one rural school in Swaziland. It uses data from semi-structured interviews and photovoice based on a qualitative study of six vulnerable children, aged between 11 and 15 years. Vulnerable children viewed education as a vehicle for their aspired better adult life. These children held anxieties regarding anticipated lack of support to complete further education. Support mechanisms included the need for the community and teachers to assist with basic survival necessities like candles, clothing, and general parental guidance.

scholarly journals COVID-19: How did community pharmacies get through the first wave?

2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (5) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. M. Gregory ◽  
Zubin Austin
Keyword(s):  
Data Gathering ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Mass Scale ◽  
Considerable Change ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Service Community ◽  
Managerial Decisions

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of early 2020 was one of the most impactful events in living memory. As an essential service, community pharmacies remained open to provide care and service. The unprecedented nature and scale of the pandemic triggered considerable change in daily practice. In anticipation of future pandemic waves and similar mass-scale civil disruptions, it is important to understand how community pharmacies adapted and responded in the early weeks of COVID-19. Methods: A combination of convenience, snowball and purposive sampling methods was used to recruit staff from community pharmacies across Ontario, from a variety of different practice locations and types. A semistructured focus group interview protocol was used to elicit experiences. Data gathering was undertaken until the point of saturation. Thematic analysis was used to surface common experiences and to describe how community pharmacies adapted and responded. Results: A total of 39 participants (pharmacists, registered technicians and assistants) from 11 different pharmacies participated in this study. Data were coded based on 1) what happened, 2) how community pharmacies responded, and 3) what worked and did not work to support pharmacy staff in continued provision of service and care. Key findings included the collapse of provision of nondispensing remunerated services, the central role of managerial decisions in supporting resilience (e.g., change to 8-hour shifts from 12-hour shifts) and the central role of technology in supporting continuity of quality pharmacy services. Discussion: With anticipated future pandemic waves, preparedness of community pharmacy will be essential. This study provides important insights based on participants’ own experiences regarding ways employers can better support staff in provision of care and service to patients during times of mass-scale civil disruption. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2020;153:xx-xx.

scholarly journals Provision of community pharmacy services during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia – experiences and future implications

2022 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Kristiina Sepp ◽  
Kadi Lubi ◽  
Hedvig Rass ◽  
Daisy Volmer
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Community Pharmacy Services ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Textual Content

The spread of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 had significant impact on the functioning of the existing healthcare system and required fast adaption to new circumstances for continuing with daily practices. Community pharmacists shared responsibility of ensuring supply of medicines and medical devices, educating people on health related issues, providing pharmaceutical care etc. The aim of this study was to understand how the provision of community pharmacy services changed during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020 in Estonia. Qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Recorded interviews with community pharmacists (n = 21) and experts (n =10) were transcribed verbatim and a systematic text condensation method for textual content analysis was performed. The findings indicated that a number of changes took place in provision of community pharmacy services to assure continuity in providing high-quality pharmacy services in crisis, including addressing difficulties in the supply of medicines; at the same time, to acquire new knowledge for counselling health related topics and personal protective equipment, and to provide psychological support to people in stress. Pandemic had an impact on the content and structure of traditional community pharmacy services in Estonia. The need for expanded professional role of pharmacists was clearly expressed in an emergency situation.

scholarly journals The role of “not for profits” (NFPs) in disaster preparedness in Aotearoa New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Torstonson ◽  
Denise Blake ◽  
Darrin Hodgetts ◽  
David M Johnston
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Single Parents ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Setting ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The Right

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to highlight the role of not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in enhancing disaster preparedness. The authors set out to understand their perspectives and practices in regard to disaster preparedness activities to support people who live precarious lives, especially those who live as single parents who are the least prepared for disasters.Design/methodology/approachThe research draws on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 staff members, either in a group setting or individually, from seven NFP organisations, who were located in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Kaiapoi in Aotearoa New Zealand. These participants were interviewed eight years after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.FindingsFour key narrative tropes or elements were drawn from across the interviews and were used to structure the research results. These included: “essential” support services for people living precarious lives; assisting people to be prepared; potential to support preparedness with the right materials and relationships; resourcing to supply emergency goods.Originality/valueThis research contributes to disaster risk reduction practices by advocating for ongoing resourcing of NFP groups due to their ability to build a sense of community and trust while working with precarious communities, such as single parents.

scholarly journals Over-The-Counter Codeine: Can Community Pharmacy Staff Nudge Customers into Its Safe and Appropriate Use?

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Sapana Mody ◽  
Charlotte L. Kirkdale ◽  
Tracey Thornley ◽  
Aimi Dickinson ◽  
Anthony J. Avery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Web Based

The misuse of opioids, including codeine which is sold over-the-counter (OTC) in United Kingdom (UK) community pharmacies, is a growing public health concern. An educational Patient Safety Card was developed and piloted to see if it nudged customers into the safe and appropriate use of OTC codeine. Exploratory analysis was conducted by (i) recording quantitative interactions for people requesting OTC codeine in community pharmacies; and (ii) a web-based pharmacy staff survey. Twenty-four pharmacies submitted data on 3993 interactions using the Patient Safety Card. Staff found the majority of interactions (91.3%) to be very or quite easy. Following an interaction using the card, customers known to pharmacy staff as frequent purchasers of OTC codeine were more likely not to purchase a pain relief medicine compared to customers not known to staff (5.5% of known customers did not purchase any pain relief product versus 1.1% for unknown customers (χ2 = 41.73, df = 1, p < 0.001)). These results support both the use of a visual educational intervention to encourage appropriate use of OTC codeine in community pharmacy and the principles behind better self-care.

scholarly journals Qualitative study exploring the key determinants of information gathering to inform the management of over-the-counter (OTC) consultations in community pharmacies

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e029937
Author(s):  
Heather Cassie ◽  
Eilidh M Duncan ◽  
Elizabeth A Gibb ◽  
Ailsa Power ◽  
Linda Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Professional Role ◽  
Information Gathering ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Safety Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Over The Counter

ObjectivesGathering relevant patient information during over-the-counter (OTC) consultations increases the likelihood of safe, effective and person-centred outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the key determinants to information gathering during consultations for non-prescription medicine requests in community pharmacies in Scotland.DesignSemi-structured interviews using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), with community pharmacy teams across Scotland. Interviews explored participants’ knowledge of current guidance, skills required to elicit information and barriers and facilitators associated with this behaviour. Theory-based content analysis was undertaken using the TDF as an initial coding framework to identify key determinants and map them to salient domains. Salience was determined by prominence or variation in views. Comparative analysis was undertaken by professional role.ResultsThirty interviews were conducted with pharmacists (n=19) and medicine counter assistants (MCAs) (n=11). Eight salient domains were identified: environmental context and resources (privacy), beliefs about consequences (patient safety), skills (communication, decision-making), social influences (patient awareness of pharmacist role), knowledge (awareness and use of standard operating procedures), social professional role and identity (perception of own role), behavioural regulation (training) and intention (to gather information). Similar domains were salient for pharmacists and MCAs; however, different beliefs were associated with different roles. Overarching themes were identified: best practice, health literacy, decision-making and professionalism.ConclusionsMultiple influences and complexities affect the effective management of OTC consultations. While similar factors impact on both pharmacists and MCAs at a patient, professional and environmental level, subtle differences exist in how these influence their management of OTC consultations. This study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to reflect different roles, functions and responsibilities of community pharmacy personnel.

scholarly journals Challenges to the implementation of a nationwide electronic prescribing network in primary care: a qualitative study of users’ perceptions

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 838-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Motulsky ◽  
Claude Sicotte ◽  
Marie-Pierre Gagnon ◽  
Julie Payne-Gagnon ◽  
Julie-Alexandra Langué-Dubé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Dispensing Data

Abstract Background and objective The objective of this study was to identify physicians’ and pharmacists’ perceptions of the challenges and benefits to implementing a nationwide electronic prescribing network linking medical clinics and community pharmacies in Quebec, Canada. Methods Forty-nine people (12 general practitioners, 2 managers, 33 community pharmacists, and 2 pharmacy staff members) from 40 points of care (10 primary care clinics (42% of all the connected sites) and 30 community pharmacies (44%)) were interviewed in 2013. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A low level of network use was observed. Most pharmacists processed e-prescriptions by manual entry instead of importing electronically. They reported concerns about potential errors generated by importing e-prescriptions, mainly due to the instruction field. Paper prescriptions were still perceived as the best means for safe and effective processing of prescriptions in pharmacies. Speed issues when validating e-prescription messages were seen as an irritant by physicians, and resulted in several of them abandoning transmission. Displaying the medications based on the dispensing data was identified as the main obstacle to meaningful use of medication histories. Conclusions Numerous challenges impeded realization of the benefits of this network. Standards for e-prescription messages, as well as rules for message validation, need to be improved to increase the potential benefits of e-prescriptions. Standard drug terminology including the concept of clinical medication should be developed, and the implementation of rules in local applications to allow for the classification and reconciliation of medication lists from dispensing data should be made a priority.

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