Community pharmacists’ perceptions, attitudes and barriers towards pharmacist-led minor ailment services in Malaysia

Selvaraj, Amutha; Redzuan, Adyani Md; Hatah, Ernieda

doi:10.1007/s11096-020-00973-x

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In addition, competency elements such as the ability to identify the etiology, and signs and symptoms, recommend appropriate non-pharmacological measures, and recognize considerations for special populations had median scores that approximate 80% of the maximum obtainable score. These findings are probably due to combination of factors including experiences gathered in practice, exposure to undergraduate pharmacy curricular components including therapeutic and pharmaceutical care planning, and self-care of medical conditions that are minor and can be managed effectively with the appropriate use of non-prescription medicines [ 32 – 34 ]. In addition, these components may also have been critical parts of the continuous professional development (CPD) programs for community pharmacists in Qatar and these may have contributed to the observed self-perceived competency levels [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of common minor ailments in Qatar: Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency and its predictors

et al. 2021

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Studies focused on comprehensive assessment of self-perceived competency of community pharmacists to manage minor ailments are scanty despite that self-perceived competency is a valid determinant of task performance. The objectives of the study were to assess community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency to manage fourteen common minor ailments in Qatar, and identify its significant predictors. A cross-sectional assessment of 307 community pharmacists was conducted with a pre-tested 20-item questionnaire. Self-perceived competency was assessed with nine elements on a scale of 1–10 (Maximum obtainable score: Each minor ailment = 90; each element = 140). Mann-Whitney U and bivariate logistic regression were used for data analyses. The response rate was 91.9% (282/307). The majority of the respondents were males (68.1%; 192/282), within the age range of 31–40 years (55.3%; 156/282). The minor ailments with the highest median competency score were constipation (76), and cold/catarrh (75) while travel sickness (69), and ringworm (69) had the lowest. The two condition-specific competency elements with the highest median score were recommendation of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (115), and provision of instructions to guide its use (115). Ability to differentiate minor ailments from other medical conditions had the lowest median competency score (109). The significant predictors self-perceived competency were female gender (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.34–4.25, p = 0.003), and working for chain pharmacies (OR = 2.54, 95%CI: 1.30–4.96, p = 0.006). Overall, Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency was adequate for majority of the common minor ailments, and it was highest for constipation and cold/catarrh, and specifically for the recommendation of OTC medicines and provision of instructions to guide its use. However, diagnostic ability to differentiate minor ailments from other medical conditions with similar features had the lowest median competency score. Female gender and working in chain pharmacies were the significant predictors of self-perceived competency to manage minor ailments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of common minor ailments in Qatar: Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency and its predictors

et al. 2021

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“…This needs to be addressed especially in patients with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to improve their care given appreciably increased rates in recent years (115)(116)(117). In the meantime, pharmacists do have an important role in the management of acute respiratory tract infections such as coughs and colds, for gastro-intestinal ailments (118), as well as minor ailments generally (119) in Malaysia, helped by the long waiting times to see healthcare professionals in PHCs (111). Social insurance coverage has increased in Vietnam in recent years to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket payments (120,121).…”

Section: General and Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Godman

Haque

Islam

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

103

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Background: Countries have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), with some countries adopting preventative strategies earlier than others. However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments. This includes hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation lead to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages have also been seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic effects on patients where there are high co-payment levels and issues of affordability. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further.Objective: Assess changes in the availability, utilization and prices of relevant medicines and PPE during the pandemic among a range of Asian countries.Our approach: Narrative literature review combined with interviews among community pharmacists to assess changes in consumption, prices and shortages of medicines and PPE from the beginning of March 2020 until end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation.Results: 308 pharmacists took part from five Asian countries. There was an appreciable increase in the utilization of antimicrobials in Pakistan (in over 88% of pharmacies), with lower increases or no change in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries, as well as limited price rises for antimicrobials in India, Malaysia and Vietnam, although greater price rises seen for analgesics and vitamin C/immune boosters. Appreciable price increases were also seen for PPE across some countries.Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in utilization of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, increases in the utilization and prices of antimicrobials is a concern that needs addressing alongside misinformation and any unintended consequences from the pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a key role in providing evidence-based advice, helping to moderate prices, as well as helping address some of the unintended consequences of the pandemic.

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“…This study showed that only minority (4.4%) of community pharmacists preferred not to deal with minor ailment cases, while the majority of them managed such cases. Lack of competence and training may be the expected reason for those who did not prefer to deal with minor ailment cases (16) . This study demonstrated that 40% of participated pharmacists mentioned that the referral rate of minor ailment cases ranged between 10-30%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Pharmacists' Attitudes and Practice in the Management of Minor Ailments

Mikhael

2021

IJPS

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This study aimed to know the attitudes and practice of pharmacists regarding the management of minor ailments in Iraqi community pharmacies. A cross-sectional study for 320 community pharmacists was conducted during February 2020 using a newly developed and validated questionnaire. Only 4.4% of pharmacists prefer not to deal with minor ailment cases. Minority (15.6%) of participated pharmacists refer more than half of minor ailment cases they face to the physician. Regarding the assessment of minor ailments using WWHAM technique, what are the symptoms are the most commonly asked questions by pharmacists. Only 49.1% mentioned that they ask all WWHAM questions. On the other hand, most pharmacists (90%) educate their patients about the dosing regimen. Meanwhile, less than 10% of pharmacists provide their patients with all possible information about their medications. All demographic factors had no effect on the pharmacists' usage of WWHAM technique and in pharmacist's role in patient counseling or education. In conclusion minor ailment services that provided by community pharmacists' in Iraq was poor at which most pharmacists don't use WWHAM technique appropriately and also fail to provide their patients with the required medication counseling and education.

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Community pharmacists’ perceptions, attitudes and barriers towards pharmacist-led minor ailment services in Malaysia

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

Management of common minor ailments in Qatar: Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency and its predictors

Management of common minor ailments in Qatar: Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency and its predictors

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Community Pharmacists' Attitudes and Practice in the Management of Minor Ailments

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