Benefits and tensions in delivering public health in community pharmacies – a qualitative study of healthy living pharmacy staff champions

Abstract

Objective Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) were introduced in the United Kingdom (UK) in a further attempt to deliver public health benefits in community pharmacy settings. Central to the initiative are staff trained as Healthy Living Champions (HLC) and this study sought to explore HLC perceptions of positive and negative aspect of their work and the wider scheme. Methods A qualitative study was undertaken with a purposive sample of HLCs working in pathfinder HCPs in the Sheffield area in 2014. Participants were recruited by email to either a focus group (n = 7) held at a training event or later semi‐structured one‐to‐one interviews in pharmacies (n = 6). Four stages of interpretative phenomenological analysis were used to code and identify themes. Key findings Four main themes emerged relating to the positive workforce development impact HLPs had upon HLCs themselves and on perceived customer and patient engagement and benefits. Tensions were identified with existing commercial business demands and negative views overall of the pharmacy setting with a perceived lack of not only integration with other services but also awareness among the public and health care staff. HLCs felt empowered and more confident in initiating conversation about health issues with patients, but identified barriers relating to workload, a lack of time to perform their role, isolation, tensions with non‐HLC staff and logistical barriers such as poor Internet access. Conclusions Delivering public health activities through the HLC role in UK pharmacies is associated with several perceived benefits for different stakeholders, but may be threatened by well recognised barriers in UK pharmacies related to the commercial setting.

Health champions in South London: evaluation of training, and impact on public health

“…Patients potentially also benefit from the role with high levels of activity in new roles seen, with increased awareness of signposting and improved confidence. This has also been seen in a previous qualitative study of HCs in HLPs . It is important, that, as UK healthcare policy and planning continues to value the role of pharmacy in delivering public health, that all of the pharmacy team continue to work together to provide and contribute to new public health initiatives, recognising the important role of support staff, alongside pharmacists .…”

“…This has also been seen in a previous qualitative study of HCs in HLPs. [22] It is important, that, as UK healthcare policy and planning continues to value the role of pharmacy in delivering public health, that all of the pharmacy team continue to work together to provide and contribute to new public health initiatives, recognising the important role of support staff, alongside pharmacists. [23] The latter has been echoed by the interview results.…”

Rural South African Community Perceptions of Antibiotic Access and Use: Qualitative Evidence from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System Site

“…Another source of public health education can be using the community pharmacy model whereby pharmacy staff champion AMR and ABR and are empowered to initiate conversations with patients around antibiotics. 80 The impact and practicality of trying to “empower” local pharmacists to be AMR/ABR stewards may be problematic. It may possibly entail unforeseen social consequences (e.g., changing the relationships between patients and the health system) and pharmacists may comply strategically, to pursue non-altruistic goals that could entail worsened patterns of pharmaceutical use.…”

Public Perception of the Range of Roles Played by Professional Pharmacists

“…The benefits of pharmacists taking on more primary healthcare activities can be significant—both in terms of improving patient quality life and increasing financial benefits [9,10]. Unfortunately, the role of pharmacists employed at polish pharmacies is still limited to activities associated with the dispensing of medication, whether doctor-prescribed or OTC.…”