scholarly journals Patients’, Pharmacy Staff Members’, and Pharmacy Researchers’ Perceptions of Central Elements in Prescription Encounters at the Pharmacy Counter

Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Kaae ◽  
Lotte Stig Nørgaard ◽  
Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong ◽  
Anna Birna Almarsdottir ◽  
Mette Kofoed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Multiple Cues ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Central Elements ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: Studies suggest that the way pharmacy counselling takes place does not fully support patients in obtaining optimal medicine use. To understand the basis of current challenges in pharmacy counselling, we investigated which selected related cues, i.e., objects, sounds, or circumstances in prescription encounters, patients, and pharmacy staff notice, and how they interpret these cues. Pharmacy practice researchers’ cue orientation was also investigated to explore possible differences to those of staff and patients. Methods: Twelve focus group interviews representing 5 community pharmacies (staff and patients) and 2 universities (researchers) were conducted during 2017–2018 in Denmark. A total of 20 patients, 22 pharmacy staff, and 6 pharmacy researchers participated. A theoretical analysis based on cue orientation and social appraisal was conducted. Results: Pharmacy staff, patients and researchers noticed different selected related cues in prescription encounters. Staff particularly noticed ‘types of patients’. Patients were more divided and grouped into three overall categories: ‘types of staff’, medical content, and the situation around the encounter. Pharmacy researchers noticed multiple cues. Different emotions were integrated in the construction of the cues. Conclusion: Differences in the cue orientation between all three groups were identified. The identified types of cues and emotions can explain an underlying dissatisfaction with the encounters. Patients lack, in particular, more personal contact. Staff need to consider these aspects to provide relevant counselling.

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 I could take the judgment if you could just provide the service: non-prescription syringe purchase experience at Arizona pharmacies, 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth E. Meyerson ◽  
Carrie A. Lawrence ◽  
Summer Dawn Cope ◽  
Steven Levin ◽  
Christopher Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Injection Drugs ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Background Community pharmacies are important for health access by rural populations and those who do not have optimum access to the health system, because they provide myriad health services and are found in most communities. This includes the sale of non-prescription syringes, a practice that is legal in the USA in all but two states. However, people who inject drugs (PWID) face significant barriers accessing sterile syringes, particularly in states without laws allowing syringe services programming. To our knowledge, no recent studies of pharmacy-based syringe purchase experience have been conducted in communities that are both rural and urban, and none in the Southwestern US. This study seeks to understand the experience of retail pharmacy syringe purchase in Arizona by PWID. Methods An interview study was conducted between August and December 2018 with 37 people living in 3 rural and 2 urban Arizona counties who identified as current or former users of injection drugs. Coding was both a priori and emergent, focusing on syringe access through pharmacies, pharmacy experiences generally, experiences of stigma, and recommendations for harm reduction services delivered by pharmacies. Results All participants reported being refused syringe purchase at pharmacies. Six themes emerged about syringe purchase: (1) experience of stigma and judgment by pharmacy staff, (2) feelings of internalized stigma, (3) inconsistent sales outcomes at the same pharmacy or pharmacy chain, (4) pharmacies as last resort for syringes, (5) fear of arrest for syringe possession, and (6) health risks resulting from syringe refusal. Conclusions Non-prescription syringe sales in community pharmacies are a missed opportunity to improve the health of PWID by reducing syringe sharing and reuse. Yet, current pharmacy syringe sales refusal and stigmatization by staff suggest that pharmacy-level interventions will be necessary to impact pharmacy practice. Lack of access to sterile syringes reinforces health risk behaviors among PWID. Retail syringe sales at pharmacies remain an important, yet barrier-laden, element of a comprehensive public health response to reduce HIV and hepatitis C among PWID. Future studies should test multilevel evidence-based interventions to decrease staff discrimination and stigma and increase syringe sales.

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.

scholarly journals Language Learning in Outdoor Environments: Perspectives of preschool staff

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Norling ◽  
Anette Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Verbal Language ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Language Environment ◽  
Preschool Staff

Language environment is highlighted as an important area in the early childhood education sector. The term language environment refers to language-promoting aspects of education, such as preschool staff’s use of verbal language in interacting with the children. There is a lack of research about language learning in outdoor environments; thus children’s language learning is mostly based on the indoor physical environment. The aim of this study is therefore to explore, analyse, and describe how preschool staff perceive language learning in outdoor environments. The data consists of focus-group interviews with 165 preschool staff members, conducted in three cities in Sweden. The study is meaningful, thus results contribute knowledge regarding preschool staffs’ understandings of language learning in outdoor environments and develop insights to help preschool staff stimulate children’s language learning in outdoor environments.

Outcomes of partnership between higher education and health care

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 192-200
Author(s):  
Arja Häggman-Laitila ◽  
Leena Rekola
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Joint Development ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Group Interviews

The aim of this study was to describe partnership activities between a university of applied sciences and a nursing care unit for the elderly, the competences that staff members working across these organizations needed and the outcomes gained. Staff of the organizations took part in nine focus group interviews ( n = 39) and completed self-evaluations based on diaries ( n = 13) and essays ( n = 24). The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The staff planned, coordinated, implemented and surveyed change processes based on a joint development target and developed student supervision. Staff needed competence to analyze their expertise and the organizations’ operations, as well as to manage development work, negotiations, communication and networking. The outcomes included identifying possibilities for cooperation and establishing new partnerships, developing good practices and new expertise, boosting student recruitment and supervision, as well as recruiting staff, mentoring and advancing their career development.

scholarly journals Learning to care for the spirit of dying patients: the impact of spiritual care training in a hospice-setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafie Hussein Chahrour ◽  
Niels Christian Hvidt ◽  
Elisabeth Assing Hvidt ◽  
Dorte Toudal Viftrup
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Training ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Patients approaching the end of their life do not experience their existential and spiritual needs being sufficiently met by the healthcare professionals responsible for their care. Research suggest that this is partly due to a lack of insight about spiritual care among healthcare professionals. By developing, implementing, and evaluating a research-based educational course on spiritual care targeting hospice staff, we aimed to explore the perceived barriers for providing spiritual care within a hospice setting and to evaluate the post-course impact among staff members. Methods Course development and evaluation was based on primary exploratory action research and followed the UK Medical Research Council’s framework for complex intervention research. The course was implemented at two Danish hospices and comprised thematic days that included lectures, reflective exercises and improvised participatory theatre. We investigated the course impact using a questionnaire and focus group interviews. The questionnaire data were summarized in bar charts and analysis of the transcribed interviews was performed based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results 85 staff members participated in the course. Of these, 57 answered the evaluative questionnaire and 15 participated in 5 focus group interviews. The course elements that the participants reported to be the most relevant were improvised theatre unfolding existential themes and reflexive group activities. 98% of participants found the course relevant, answering either “relevant” or “very relevant”. 73,1% of participants answered “to a considerable extent” or “to a great extent” when asked to what extent they assessed the content of the course to influence their work in hospice. The focus group data resulted in 3 overall themes regarding perceived barriers for providing spiritual care: 1. Diverse approaches is beneficial for spiritual care, but the lack of a shared and adequate spiritual language is a communicative barrier, 2. Existential conversation is complicated by patients’ overlapping physical and existential needs, as well as miscommunication, and 3. Providing spiritual care requires spiritual self-reflection, self-awareness, introspection, and vulnerability. Conclusions This study provides insights into the barriers facing spiritual care in a hospice setting. Furthermore, the course evaluations demonstrate the valuable impact of spiritual care training for health care professionals. Further course work development is warranted to enhance the “science” of spiritual care for the dying.

Patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy: values and behaviours

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Elvey ◽  
Karen Hassell ◽  
Penny Lewis ◽  
Ellen Schafheutle ◽  
Sarah Willis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Critical Incident Technique ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Research on patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy is scarce compared with other health professions and in particular with pharmacists early in their careers. The purpose of this paper is to explore patient-centred professionalism in early career pharmacists and to describe reported behaviours. Design/methodology/approach – This study explored patient-centred professional values and reported behaviours, taking a qualitative approach. In all, 53 early-career pharmacists, pharmacy tutors and pharmacy support staff, practising in community and hospital pharmacy in England took part; the concept of patient-centred professionalism was explored through focus group interviews and the critical incident technique was used to elicit real-life examples of professionalism in practice. Findings – Triangulation of the data revealed three constructs of pharmacy patient-centred professionalism: being professionally competent, having ethical values and being a good communicator. Research limitations/implications – It is not known whether our participants’ perspectives reflect those of all pharmacists in the early stages of their careers. The data provide meaning for the concept of patient-centred professionalism. The work could be extended by developing a framework for wider application. Patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy needs further investigation from the patient perspective. Practical implications – The findings have implications for pharmacy practice and education, particularly around increased interaction with patients. Social implications – The data contribute to a topic of importance to patients and in relation to UK health policy, which allocates more directly clinical roles to pharmacists, which go beyond the dispensing and supply of medicines. Originality/value – The methods included a novel application of the critical incident technique, which generated empirical evidence on a previously under-researched topic.

Staff views on how to improve mealtimes for elderly people with dementia living at home

Dementia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 835-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Johansson ◽  
Anita Björklund ◽  
Birgitta Sidenvall ◽  
Lennart Christensson
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Individualized Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Everyday Work ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Person Centered Approach ◽  
At Home

Dementia commonly leads to difficulties in performing daily activities, which can also often affect the ability to prepare and eat meals. As a result, formal support to maintain good nutritional intake might be needed, but there is a lack of knowledge concerning how to support older persons with dementia living at home. The aim of this study was to explore and describe staff views on how to improve mealtimes for persons with dementia who are still living at home. A qualitative descriptive study was performed and data were collected during 2011–2012 through four focus group interviews with staff working in the homes of persons with dementia. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The participants described several ways to improve mealtimes for persons with dementia and advocated adjustments facilitating the preservation of the persons’ independence. Finding suitable actions calls for knowledge about the person and his/her individual situation. Proposed actions were enabling meals at home, taking over, and moving meals outside of the home. In addition, it was found that, the types of meals served to these persons should be as familiar to the individual as possible. The results of this study indicate the importance of using a person-centered approach and meeting the individual needs when supporting people with dementia in regards to their meals when living at home. Individualized care in the home may be expensive, however, it is fair to say that people who become malnourished and admitted to hospitals is even more costly. Furthermore, sharing and reflecting experiences and knowledge can assist staff to identify ways to manage complex situations. Therefore, the use of refection should be a part of staff members’ everyday work.

Supporting Healthy Eating Among Preschoolers: Challenges for Child Care Staff

2007 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Needham ◽  
John J.M. Dwyer ◽  
Janis Randall-Simpson ◽  
Elizabeth Shaver Heeney
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Child Care Setting ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose: The child care setting can help preschoolers develop healthy eating habits. Establishing such habits may increase preschoolers’ likelihood of carrying them into adulthood, which can decrease the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Challenges in supporting preschoolers’ healthy eating were investigated among child care staff. Methods: Three focus group interviews were conducted with 29 child care staff members. Audiotapes of the sessions were transcribed. Results: Several themes were identified from the analysis of the transcripts. An intrapersonal (individual) factor was children's picky eating. Interpersonal factors (interactions) included perceptions that parents do not encourage their children to eat in a healthy way, and that child care staff's use of practices were inconsistent with health professional recommendations. Physical environment factors included perceptions that healthy food was not accessible at child care centres and that children have unhealthy food at home. Conclusions: Program planners and health professionals can develop and implement strategies to overcome some of the identified challenges to supporting preschoolers’ healthy eating.

Evaluation of Consultation in Community Pharmacies with Mystery Shoppers

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1023-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietrich Alte ◽  
Werner Weitschies ◽  
Christoph A Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Drug Interaction ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Interaction Detection ◽  
Size Number ◽  
Interaction Variables ◽  
Drug Drug Interaction ◽  
Mystery Shoppers ◽  
Northeastern Germany

BACKGROUND: Consultation of patients in community pharmacies (CPs) must meet standards, especially in selling over-the-counter drugs; however, there has been no information as to whether northeastern German CPs meet these standards. OBJECTIVE: To estimate aspects of consultation quality in CPs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, located in northeastern Germany, study factors related to consultation quality, and check compliance with Pharmacy Practice Law, because not all pharmaceutical professions may legally sell drugs. METHODS: In 2005, 6 mystery shoppers (pharmacy students) presented with a headache to 146 of 398 CPs; they requested a sleeping pill plus an antihistaminic drug and completed data collection forms. Consultation scores were calculated and effects of pharmacy/staff characteristics on consultation were modeled with linear (consultation score) and logistic regression (failure to detect a drug—drug interaction). Variables used in models were staff profession, pharmacy size (number of staff), city/town size (number of pharmacies), and day of the week in which shoppers visited the pharmacy. RESULTS: Despite a high willingness of pharmacy staff to provide consultation (83% spontaneously offered advice), northeastern German CPs did not achieve their professional mission. Extreme variation was evident in their questioning of the mystery shoppers regarding use of important single items (from 1% for pregnancy/breast-feeding considerations to 56% for dosing instructions). In all cases, drugs were sold to the shoppers; most (91%) were single agents. Drug—drug interaction detection was low: 43 (30%) counselors informed mystery shoppers about the interaction. The profession of the consulting staff and the size of the pharmacy were associated with consultation quality (highest for pharmacists; lowest for small pharmacies [2–4 staff]). For interaction detection, consulting staff profession was relevant: pharmacists had OR of 3.2 for the detection compared with pharmacy engineers/assistants. In 7 pharmacies, staff illegally sold drugs to customers. CONCLUSIONS: Northeastern German CPs have much need and potential for improvement in consultation quality and drug—drug interaction detection. In-depth elicitation of symptoms and details of patients' situations must be improved. Relevant training should be provided, including use of software to identify drug interactions. Mystery shopper studies give valuable information for tailoring training schemes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document