Assessing the willingness of community pharmacists to test–treat–immunize during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to assess community pharmacists’ willingness to test, treat and immunize for COVID-19 in Puerto Rico. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a 37-item survey was distributed via email and social media in May 2020 through REDCap online software. All licensed community pharmacists in Puerto Rico (N = 1200) were invited to complete the survey. Retired community pharmacists were excluded. Analysis of frequencies and chi-square tests were performed to evaluate the willingness to test, treat and immunize for COVID-19 and their associations with sociodemographic variables. Key findings The survey response rate was 26% (314/1200). Subjects’ mean age was 42 (±13), 86.1% were female, and most practiced in independent community or specialty pharmacy (62%). Among respondents, 44% reported willingness to test. Top concerns for testing were family (73.4%) and self (66.8%) exposure and ability to manage the workflow (53.3%). Most participants indicated their willingness to treat (88.4%) and to administer the COVID-19 vaccine (76.1%). Study participants who worked in retail pharmacies were more willing to test for COVID-19 (50.9%, P = 0.34) and to immunize (91.2%, P < 0.001). Pharmacists ≤39 years (90.3%), those who graduate in 2000 or later (88.3%), and those with a Pharm.D. degree or higher (88.6%), were more willing to immunize (P < 0.001). Conclusions Most community pharmacists were more willing to treat and immunize, than to perform COVID-19 testing. This underscores the need for training and workflow changes to facilitate the acquisition of this new role. Local pharmacists’ associations should advocate for a safe and manageable work environment. These efforts are vital to empower pharmacists to adopt new roles during a public health emergency.

The voices of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico

“…The survey findings have been published elsewhere. 19 For this article, only the open-ended questions were analyzed and reported.…”

Global overview of pharmacist and community pharmacy actions to address COVID-19: A scoping review

“…The vaccine application and testing by community pharmacists showed divergence in acceptance for the service. In addition to easy accessibility of these services to the population, some authors reported the willingness of professionals to test and immunize, contributing to the information, advertising, and promotion of vaccines, 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 while others showed dissatisfaction with this aspect, due to overload, lack of support, training, or confidence in the vaccine. 28 …”

Expanded roles of community pharmacists in COVID-19: A scoping literature review

“…43 Another survey in Puerto Rico reported that more than 75% of community pharmacists were willing to treat and to administer vaccines to patients; working in community pharmacy and educational status of PharmD degree or higher were factors linked with increased willingness to immunize. 44 Based on operational models for pandemic vaccinations at regional supermarket chain pharmacies, it has been suggested that health authorities can provide epidemiologic data to pharmacies to scale a projected pandemic response. Hub pharmacies at the center of regions with the ability to accommodate large patient volumes, pharmacies located at major roads or intersections, and those with large parking areas can be ideal as vaccination centers for in-store or drivethrough vaccination; the presence of multiple stations for preand postvaccination waiting will be a further advantage.…”