Testing evidence routine practice: Using an implementation framework to embed a clinically proven asthma service in...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Implementation Science
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Community pharmacists are positioned to enhance asthma patient care.
• Evidence supports their training for delivering professional asthma management services.
• A gap exists between evidence and current practice in community pharmacy asthma services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the implementation process of a community pharmacy asthma service model.
• To assess the service benefits on asthma management in clinical, economic, and humanistic terms.
• To evaluate the progression of an asthma service through defined implementation stages.

Main Methods:

• An effectiveness-implementation hybrid design was employed.
• The study involved 17 community pharmacies in metropolitan Sydney.
• An asthma service focused on asthma control and inhaler technique was tested.

Main Results:

• Implementation varied, with 7 pharmacies reaching the Operation stage.
• 128 patients were enrolled, with 110 completing the study.
• Asthma control improved, with 'poor' control decreasing from 72% to 57%.
• Correct inhaler technique increased significantly from 12% to 57%.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy asthma service implementation varied across sites.
• Tailored strategies may enhance professional service uptake.
• The asthma service improved patient outcomes, including asthma control and inhaler technique.