Patient perceptions of acute infectious disease point-of-care tests and treatment within community pharmacy settings

Community pharmacies are well-positioned to help patients overcome many health care barriers they experience when trying to receive care. Community pharmacists are ready and equipped to provide patient care interventions like the test-and-treat model for acute infectious diseases.

The objective of this study was to determine patients' experiences with rapid strep and influenza tests administered at community pharmacies, focusing on what impacted patients' decisions to receive care, their perception of the care received, and if offering these tests in community pharmacies expanded their access to care.

Seven independently owned pharmacies in Tennessee and Kentucky from November 2020 to April 2021 recruited study participants. Qualitative semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted using the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework. Participant interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and independently coded by 2 investigators and reviewed by a third investigator. A qualitative analysis was completed, with a selection of supporting quotations for each theme. Qualitative analysis identified participant perceptions of rapid strep and flu POCT and treatments provided in community pharmacies, consistency and quality of patient care, and if these interventions expanded their access to care.

A total of 11 patients participated in the interviews; of which, 9 (81.8%) participants were female, and participants ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (median, 40 years). Of 11, 7 participants received a strep test, 3 participants received a flu test, and 1 participant received both the tests. The analysis uncovered 10 major themes within the following 4 different categories: (1) convenience to patients, (2) quality of care received, (3) improved access to care, and (4) additional interventions for which patients want expanded access to care.

Pharmacies offering services like rapid strep and flu tests provide convenience and quality care that can help expand patient access to health care and could help provide expanded access for underserved populations.