Community Pharmacy's Role in Promoting Healthy Behaviours

Abstract

Many have commented on the potential of community pharmacy as a health promotion setting, due to accessibility, high level of use, and the respect afforded to pharmacists. Community pharmacy could be a setting through which to address risk and protective health behaviours relevant to Australia's National Health Priority Areas. However, apart from some studies on smoking cessation, there is scant evidence on its involvement in other healthy behaviours. This paper discusses how to increase research and interventions on healthy behaviours in community pharmacy. This includes placing community pharmacy's role within a broader health promotion context, expanding community expectations of pharmacists, and addressing barriers to performing a health promotion role. J Pharm Pract Res 2007; 37: 42-4.

Cardiovascular risk screening program in Australian community pharmacies

“…Previous studies have also shown that community perceptions support pharmacy involvement in health promotion [18,19]. Nevertheless, others have identified a number of barriers to pharmacies offering health screening and promotion, including pharmacists' lack of skill and confidence, doctor resistance and lack of remuneration for the service [8]. Appropriate training is relatively easy to address with accredited shortcourse programs, while doctors' concerns may be eased with information and assurances regarding the mutual benefit of screening.…”

“…Because they are conceivably the most readily accessible healthcare professionals, community pharmacists are ideally placed to assist in the detection, education and referral of individuals at high risk of CVD [8]. The current study was undertaken to assess the suitability of community pharmacies as CVD risk profile screening centres, and evaluated the potential role of community pharmacists in identifying asymptomatic people with an increased absolute risk of CVD.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists in relation to cholesterol screening in Delta State, Nigeria

“…Also, for many persons on treatment, adherence to therapy is often compromised by perceived adverse effects of medication, resulting in discontinuation (Bitton et al, 2013;Roebuck et al, 2011). Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to support management of dyslipidemia and reduce risks associated with CVD, because they are highly accessible and are often the first point of entry into the health care system (Joyce et al, 2007). Pharmacists could assist by engaging in screening for dyslipidemia, promoting awareness and lifestyle interventions, and increasing adherence through assessment and resolution of drug therapy problems associated with use of lipid lowering medications.…”

The use of community pharmacies in North West England: an observational study

“…It is increasingly viewed as a setting which could be utilised in the promotion of public health, both in the UK and internationally [1][2][3][4]. It has been suggested that an 'inverse care law' exists in England and Wales, where access to doctors is less in deprived areas, where care might be needed most [5].…”