TY - JOUR
T1 - Unanswered Health-Related Questions in Community Pharmacy: Frequency, Nature and Consequences
AU - Gordon, Jennifer
AU - Calabretto, Jean-Pierre
AU - Sorich, Michael
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - Background: Medical practice research suggests that deficits in information exchange can have implications, such as misunderstandings and non-adherence to treatment. There has been little investigation into the implications of unanswered health-related questions in community pharmacy, especially for professional pharmacy practice and quality use of medicines. Aim: To investigate the frequency of consumers leaving community pharmacies with unanswered health-related questions, the nature of the unanswered questions and the impact on consumers. Method: Consumers exiting participating community pharmacies (convenience sample) were interviewed using a semi-structured tool to capture information on the frequency, nature and consequences of unanswered health-related questions. Data recorded from the interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Over the 5 week study period, of the 87 participants interviewed, 18 (20%) had come into the pharmacy with a health-related question and 6 (33%) left with their question unanswered. Of the 47 participants who were asked about past instances of unanswered questions, 7 (15%) reported incidents they could recall. The nature of the unanswered questions mainly focused on potential or perceived medication-related adverse effects, and information on which to select medicines or treatment. A number of unanswered questions were considered to have potential for negative health consequences if not followed up. Conclusion: On occasion, consumers leave community pharmacies with unanswered questions, which could have consequences for the quality use of medicines. Further research is needed to establish the prevalence and significance of unanswered health-related questions in community pharmacy.
AB - Background: Medical practice research suggests that deficits in information exchange can have implications, such as misunderstandings and non-adherence to treatment. There has been little investigation into the implications of unanswered health-related questions in community pharmacy, especially for professional pharmacy practice and quality use of medicines. Aim: To investigate the frequency of consumers leaving community pharmacies with unanswered health-related questions, the nature of the unanswered questions and the impact on consumers. Method: Consumers exiting participating community pharmacies (convenience sample) were interviewed using a semi-structured tool to capture information on the frequency, nature and consequences of unanswered health-related questions. Data recorded from the interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Over the 5 week study period, of the 87 participants interviewed, 18 (20%) had come into the pharmacy with a health-related question and 6 (33%) left with their question unanswered. Of the 47 participants who were asked about past instances of unanswered questions, 7 (15%) reported incidents they could recall. The nature of the unanswered questions mainly focused on potential or perceived medication-related adverse effects, and information on which to select medicines or treatment. A number of unanswered questions were considered to have potential for negative health consequences if not followed up. Conclusion: On occasion, consumers leave community pharmacies with unanswered questions, which could have consequences for the quality use of medicines. Further research is needed to establish the prevalence and significance of unanswered health-related questions in community pharmacy.
UR - http://jppr.shpa.org.au/lib/pdf/2011_12/Jean-Pierre_Calabretto_RE_abs.pdf
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84855807733&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00102.x
DO - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00102.x
M3 - Article
SN - 1445-937X
VL - 41
SP - 271
EP - 274
JO - Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research
JF - Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research
IS - 4
ER -