Evaluation of a training program to support depression screening for older adults in community pharmacies

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a training program on community pharmacists' and pharmacy staff's perceived knowledge and attitudes regarding depression, as well as community pharmacists' confidence and acceptability, regarding late-life depression (LLD) screening.

A training program was developed and delivered to participants in the EMPATHISE pilot study, whereby pharmacists delivered LLD screening and provided referrals when warranted. The study took place in community pharmacies across New South Wales, Australia. Training consisted of Mental Health First Aid training, and training on the identification of LLD. A 68-item survey was developed using validated questionnaires exploring participants' stigma, attitudes, knowledge and acceptability of such services. Participants were invited to complete the survey at baseline (T1), immediately post-training (T2), and 3-months post-training (T3). Changes in responses were analysed descriptively and using the Friedman test.

Twenty-seven of the 78 participants at baseline completed the survey across all timepoints, including 21 community pharmacists (78 %). Across the three timepoints, some improvements in participants' attitudes towards depression were observed. From T1-T2 and T1-T3, participants demonstrated some improvements in their acceptability and confidence regarding LLD screening, and increased knowledge regarding use of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15.

This training program improved aspects of participants' knowledge and attitudes towards LLD, as well as their confidence and acceptability regarding LLD screening, suggesting a need for training prior to pharmacist-delivered LLD screening. This training program may be incorporated into future studies focusing on service delivery models to help support pharmacists' early identification of LLD.