Evaluating the Clinical and Humanistic Impact of a Self-Care and Minor Ailment Service (MAS)

Minor ailments contribute significantly to the burden on healthcare systems. The introduction of a Minor Ailment Service (MAS) may alleviate pressure from hospital Accident & Emergency departments by directing patients suffering from minor ailments to be managed within the community. Although MAS has demonstrated positive results internationally, its effectiveness and acceptability in Hong Kong have not been evaluated. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the clinical and humanistic impacts of a MAS delivered by pharmacists at community pharmacies operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Hong Kong.

Subjects were recruited using convenience sampling at eight NGO-operated community pharmacies. Patient-reported outcomes, including symptom resolution, satisfaction, and enablement, were collected using a follow-up questionnaire one week after MAS. Additionally, consultation records were matched and extracted from the Community Pharmacy Services System. Descriptive data analyses were conducted to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes after using MAS. Factors influencing the primary outcomes were assessed using mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models.

This study demonstrates that most subjects (95.1%) report improvement in their symptoms. The mean scores for the Pharmacy Services Questionnaire and Patient Enablement Instrument are 4.0 ± 0.8 out of 5 and 6.8 ± 3.2 out of 12, respectively. Minor ailments relating to the respiratory system are most frequently reported. Significant negative associations in symptom resolution, satisfaction, and enablement are mainly observed in patients suffering from central nervous system-related symptoms.

Patients receiving MAS provided by community pharmacists in community pharmacies report high levels of symptom resolution, satisfaction and enablement.