How to enhance public health service utilization in community pharmacy?: general public and health providers' perspectives

Kritsanee Saramunee; Janet Krska; Adam Mackridge; Jacqueline Richards; Siritree Suttajit; Penelope Phillips-Howard

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.05.006

How to enhance public health service utilization in community pharmacy?: general public and health providers' perspectives

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2014 Mar-Apr;10(2):272-84. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.05.006. Epub 2012 Oct 23.

Authors

Kritsanee Saramunee¹, Janet Krska², Adam Mackridge², Jacqueline Richards³, Siritree Suttajit⁴, Penelope Phillips-Howard⁵

Affiliations

¹ Pharmacy Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; Social Pharmacy Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand. Electronic address: ksaramunee@gmail.com.
² Pharmacy Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
³ Centre for Tourism, Consumer and Food Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
⁴ Social Pharmacy Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand.
⁵ Child and Maternal Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5AQ, UK.

PMID: 23089293
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.05.006

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists (PHs) in England are increasingly providing a range of public health services. However, the general public view pharmacists as drug experts and not experts in health, and therefore, services may be underutilized.

Objectives: To explore experiences and views of 4 groups of participants, the general public, PHs, general practitioners (GPs), and other stakeholders (STs) on pharmacy-based public health services, and identify potential factors affecting service use.

Methods: The study was undertaken in a locality of North West England. Three focus groups were conducted with the general public (n=16), grouped by socioeconomic status. Fourteen semistructured interviews were undertaken with PHs (n=9), GPs (n=2), and STs (n=3). Discussions/interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.

Results: All 4 groups of participants agreed that community pharmacies are a good source of advice on medicines and minor ailments but were less supportive of public health services. Six factors were identified affecting utilization of pharmacy services: community pharmacy environment, pharmacist and support staff, service publicity, general public, GP services, and health care system and policies. Crucial obstacles that could inhibit service utilization are perceptions of both the general public and other health providers toward pharmacists' competencies, privacy and confidentiality in pharmacies, high dispensing workload, and inadequate financial support. Networking between local health professionals could enhance confidence in service delivery, general awareness, and thus utilization.

Conclusions: Community pharmacy has the potential to deliver public health services, although the impact on public health may be limited. Addressing the factors identified could help to increase utilization and impact of pharmacy public health services.

Keywords: Cardiovascular screening; Community pharmacy; General public; Pharmacy public health service; Public health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Community Pharmacy Services / statistics & numerical data*
England
Female
Focus Groups
General Practitioners
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Pharmacists*
Professional Role*
Professional-Patient Relations
Young Adult