Perceptions of Community Pharmacists on their Role in Delivering Pharmacy-led Services within Primary Healthcare: A Quantitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v36i2.56Abstract
Background: Community pharmacists (CPs) have been encouraged worldwide to participate in multidisciplinary Primary Health Care (PHC) teams.
Objective: This quantitative study (using online survey-based ques- tionnaire) aimed to identify CPs’ perceptions about their role in both counselling and healthcare services (HS) provided.
Methods: The questionnaire was designed to capture CPs’ perceptions about their role, and demographics. The study (ethically approved by the Ethics Committee of the Pharmaceutical Association of Ioannina, Greece) was conducted with CPs practicing in Ioannina, Greece.
Results: One hundred and twenty (response rate 72.7%) CPs took part in the study. Of those, sixty-three (52.5%) participants were females. More than half of the sample felt confident (56.7%, n=68), and competent (55.0%, n=66) to provide HS in PHC. Interestingly, 56.7% (n=68) agreed that there is a need of a Greek law, which will establish the role of CPs within the PHC. The majority (91.7%, n=110) reported a considerable number of visits per week to their pharmacies from patients/ individuals who seek advice without purchasing any medication. Only 60 (50.0%) agreed on the need for a consultation room inside their pharmacies in order to provide the public health services. A few pharmacists envisaged themselves having a more active role within the PHC team in the future (9.2%, n=11), as well as in providing behavioural change interventions (24.2%, n=29).
Conclusion: CPs generally felt confident and competent for their role as members of the PHC team. Future training may help CPs to develop further organisational and intervention-related skills to successfully provide their services in PHC.
References
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