The development of a taxonomy to support goal setting between mental health consumers and community pharmacists

Abstract

Background: Goal setting is widely used in mental healthcare, yet there is limited information about goal development between community pharmacists and people experiencing mental health conditions.

Objectives: i) To review goals developed in partnership between Australian community pharmacists and people experiencing depression/anxiety, and ii) categorize goals and develop a taxonomy.

Methods: Community pharmacists (n = 142) who had completed a mental health training program provided an individualized medication support service and documented goal planning for 350 people experiencing anxiety and/or depression. Goals were reviewed using a general inductive content analysis to develop themes which were then grouped, categorized, and coded. This involved three researchers in different phases of the coding, repeated review and redrafting of the taxonomy, and inter-rater reliability consistency checks.

Results: The goals (n = 749) represented a diverse range of health behaviors and outcomes (e.g., medication adherence, relationships, leisure activities). The resulting taxonomy involved five overarching domains: improved health; satisfaction with life; manage physical illnesses; manage mental health; and use of medicines.

Conclusions: Pharmacists have a role in providing person-centered care and addressing social determinants of health by considering factors that contribute to a person's overall wellbeing. While further testing is necessary, the taxonomy is valuable for pharmacists unfamiliar with supporting goal development with people experiencing anxiety and/or depression.

Keywords: Anxiety; Classification; Community pharmacists; Depression; Goals.