The lay user perspective on the quality of pharmaceuticals, drug therapy and pharmacy services--results of focus group discussions (original) (raw)
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The lay user perspective -pharmaceuticals 2002
J a n i n e M o r g a l l Tr a u l s e n , A n n a B i r n a A l m a r s d ó t t i r a n d I n g u n n B j ö r n s d ó t t i r Abstract Background: This article presents the results of a study on quality of pharmacy services and perceived risk of pharmaceuticals. The results presented here are part of a multi-study evaluation of major changes in drug distribution in Iceland.
The new consumer of medicine – the pharmacy technicians’ perspective
Pharmacy World & Science, 2000
Objective: Market research, and more recently health services research, has adopted the concept of the 'new consumer' to describe customers/patients who are becoming more demanding. This study aims to determine the relevance of the concept 'new consumer' for pharmacy practice, in light of the theory of 'risk society'. Method: Qualitative in-depth interviews were carried out with seven pharmacy technicians from six different pharmacies in the Copenhagen area, Denmark. They were asked to describe developments, over time, in consumer behaviour. They were asked to focus on three themes: information, the authority of the pharmacy staff, and their predictions of the future pharmacy customer. Results: Young customers, particularly parents of pre-school children, as well as the chronically ill appeared to share the characteristics associated with the 'new consumer'. They were: information strong (well-informed) and information seeking (inquisitive); asked critical questions; showed a desire to initiate dialogue; sought counselling and in general no longer blindly accepted the authority of the pharmacy staff. Conclusion: According to pharmacy technicians a 'new consumer' does exist and is visible in community pharmacies in Copenhagen. Seen in light of the theory of risk society, we further conclude that the behaviour of the 'new consumer' is indicative of an attempt to minimize risk of drug therapy.
Pharmaceutical Services in Primary Health Care: are pharmacists and users on the same page?
Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 2017
This study investigated structural and organizational characteristics of the Pharmaceutical Services based on Primary Health Care (PHCPS) from the viewpoints of users and pharmacists. A mixed method design was applied, combining one-to-one semi-structured interviews with four pharmacists in charge of five public dispensing facilities and 69 users, with a secondary database analysis. Data were collected from February to August 2014 in Divinópolis, a municipality in Minas Gerais State. PHCPS were similar in terms of general activities performed and staff profile and background. While users were concerned about medicines’ availability and improvements related to the PHCPS’ conveniences and personnel, pharmacists pointed out problems regarding infrastructure to storage. Despite most users had low information on how to use their medicines, no pharmacists declared to participate in medicines dispensing activities. There was a low match between users and pharmacists viewpoints and advantages for concentrate medicines dispensing in a smaller number of facilities were not clear.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Background Given that the Medication Use Review (MUR) can be used as a tool to improve the quality, safety, and appropriate use of medications, it has been implemented in several countries around the world. The MUR pilot project was carried out in Latvia, followed by this study to identify obstacles, favorable factors, and benefits of this service from the perspective of pharmacists, being one of the key stakeholders. Methods Qualitative data were obtained through a semi-structured focus group interview with pharmacists participating in the project. Inductive thematic analysis was performed on transcript to describe potential gains, obstacles, and prerequisites for implementing the MUR service from the pharmacist’s perspective. Results Lack of payment, cooperation with physicians, problems with patient involvement and insufficiency of competence, were identified as the main barriers to implementation of the MUR service as a pharmacist-led service in community pharmacy. However, ther...
Public health
To explore the experience of and willingness to use seven pharmacy public health services related to cardiovascular risk among the general public in England. Mixed-methods study. A mixed-methods study, involving a cross-sectional survey using multiple distribution methods followed by a focus group discussion (FGD) with a sample of survey respondents. From 3596 approachable individuals, 908 questionnaires were completed (response rate 25.3%). Few respondents (2.1-12.7%) had experienced any of the seven pharmacy public health services. About 40% stated they would be willing to use health check services, fewer (9.3-26.3%) were willing to use advisory services. More females, frequent pharmacy users and those in good health were willing to use services in general (P < 0.05). Smokers, overweight individuals and those with alcohol-related problems were most willing to use specific advisory services supporting their problems (P < 0.05). FGD identified barriers to service use; for exam...
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 2015
Background: Pharmacist-patient communication around prescription medications can optimize treatment outcomes. Society's expectations of pharmacist-patient communication around medications can be expressed in legislation, economic incentives, and authority control. In this study, the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden provide the legislative examples and can be used as a platform to discuss how society's expectations, professional visions, and practice are aligning. Objective: The overall aim of this study was to describe society's expectations of pharmacist-patient communication around medications as expressed by the state in Nordic legislation, economic incentives and authority control. Additionally, this study describes how the states govern Nordic pharmacists in different pharmacy systems. Method: A legal review was performed using online legislative databases. Regulating authorities were contacted to gather supplementary information. Thereafter, a qualitative document analysis was conducted. Results: The Nordic countries regulate staff-patient communication by using broad laws. The legislation's main focus during dispensing is information on the use of medications, but also generic substitution and pricing. Pharmacies should have internal routines for this in place. Pharmacists' obligation to keep a journal on advice given during dispensing is ambiguously regulated. The economic incentives for communication on prescription medication during dispensing are included in the general pharmacy mark-up. Today's authority control focuses on the pharmacy management and appears to primarily evaluate structure indicators of communication, for example, if there is a routine method of counseling available. Conclusion: Various countries throughout the world differ in their requirements for pharmacy staff to communicate on the use of medicines during dispensing. The Nordic countries all require such communication, which aligns with professional visions. Regardless of the pharmacy system, the states let the employer and pharmacy professions carry out it in practice with apparently little state involvement, thus showing trust in the profession and employers. However, since Nordic communication studies show deviation from the legislation, there are reasons to reevaluate and discuss the legislation, the economic incentives and the control system.
A new model for pharmacies? Insights from a quantitative study regarding the public's perceptions
BMC Health Services Research, 2019
Background: Worldwide community pharmacies are shifting their role in the healthcare system from simple medication dispensers to health care providers. High levels of satisfaction with pharmacy services were found in previous studies. This study has two main goals. The primary goal is to describe the levels of satisfaction and knowledge regarding pharmacy services in Portugal. The secondary goal is to explore the perceptions and the utilisation of pharmacy services by the Portuguese. This statement includes exploring the impact of a set of variables on both perceptions and uses of pharmacies in regard to services that are currently offered as well as to new services that may be provided in the future.
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 2019
aims to promote the provision of clinical pharmacy services in private and public hospitals. However, there is little scientific documentation about the quality of these services. Objectives: To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions related to the quality of clinical pharmacy services provision. Methods: A case-study based on a qualitative approach was performed at the pharmaceutical services unit at a public hospital located in Mexico City, which operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health. Donabedian's conceptual model was adapted to explore health care professionals' perceptions of the quality of clinical pharmacy services provision. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with pharmacists, physicians and nurses and then transcribed and analyzed via discourse analysis and codification techniques, using the software package Atlas. ti. Results: Limitations in pharmaceutical human resources were identified as the main factor affecting coverage and quality in clinical pharmacy services provision. However, the development in pharmacy staff of technical competences and skills for clinical pharmacy service provision were recognized. Significant improvements in the rational use of medicines were associated with clinical pharmacy services provision. Conclusions: The perception analysis performed in this study suggested that it is necessary to increase pharmacy staff in order to improve interprofessional relationships and the quality of clinical pharmacy services provision.
Role of Pharmacists in Health Care: A Review on Pharmacist and Consumer Views
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 2021
As a member of the therapeutic team, pharmacists should be directly involved in patient healthcare. Many studies over the last few years have shown that pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care services can enhance patients’ clinical status and health care outcomes. However, differences exist between developing and developed countries in the accepted scope of pharmacists' professional services. The expansion of the pharmacist's role can lead to significant changes in patient perceptions. Advancements in pharmacy practice and the incorporation of professional services are gaining attention in developing countries. This review aims to analyze pharmacists’ and public views and attitudes towards the role of pharmacists in healthcare to find the best ways to support and improve the services. Studies investigating public or pharmacist views on pharmacists' roles or pharmacy services from 2010 to 2021 have been considered and reviewed.