Patients' Experiences Using a Brief Screening Tool for Medication-Related Problems in a Community Pharmacy Setting

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Patient Care
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Community pharmacies play a vital role in patient medication management.
• Screening tools can optimize patient outcomes and pharmacist interventions.
• Identifying medication-related problems is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient perceptions of a 9-item scale for screening medication-related problems.
• To explore the practical implications of using this scale in community pharmacy settings.
• To assess the scale's impact on patient understanding, confidence, and pharmacist relationships.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 40 patients who completed the screening scale.
• Semistructured, audio-recorded telephonic interviews were conducted.
• Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic qualitative methods.

Main Results:

• Patients found the scale easy to complete and applicable to other pharmacies.
• Participants reported increased medication understanding and confidence in their therapy.
• The scale facilitated the identification and resolution of actual medication-related problems.
• Patients experienced improved pharmacist relationships and recognized increased pharmacist value.

Conclusions:

• The 9-item screening tool enhances patient medication understanding and confidence.
• It strengthens pharmacist-patient relationships and identifies needs for intervention.
• The scale shows promise for improving medication therapy management in community pharmacies.