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Increasing clients' knowledge of community pharmacists' roles
1Sonderegger Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Pharmaceutical Research
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Clients desire medication information from pharmacists but face barriers like embarrassment. An inexpensive pamphlet significantly improved their short-term knowledge of pharmacist roles in patient consultation and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical care
- Health communication
- Patient education
Background:
- The pharmaceutical care model emphasizes client-pharmacist partnerships for medication consultation.
- Studies indicate low client expectations for pharmacist consultations.
- Understanding client information needs and barriers is crucial for improving care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify client information needs from pharmacists.
- To determine barriers preventing clients from seeking pharmacist advice.
- To assess if a low-cost intervention can enhance client knowledge of pharmacist roles.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 355 community pharmacy clients across 19 pharmacies.
- Clients were divided into an experimental group receiving a brochure and a control group.
- The survey assessed information needs, knowledge of pharmacist roles, and barriers to consultation.
Main Results:
- 60% of clients wanted information on side effects, 51% on correct medication use.
- Client embarrassment and unawareness of appropriateness were key barriers to asking questions.
- The brochure intervention significantly increased client knowledge of pharmacist roles and training compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- A brief, inexpensive pamphlet effectively increased clients' short-term knowledge of pharmacists' roles.
- Interventions can positively impact client understanding of pharmacist services.
- Addressing client barriers is essential for fostering active participation in pharmaceutical care.