Cross-sectional questionnaire study of the experiences of community pharmacists in Northern Ireland during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: preparation, experience and response

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the views and experiences of community pharmacists in Northern Ireland (NI) regarding changes in community pharmacy practice/processes in preparation for, and response to, the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignCross-sectional telephone-administered questionnaire.Setting and participantsGeographically stratified representative sample of 130 community pharmacists in NI between March and May 2021.Outcome measuresCommunity pharmacists’ responses to questions focusing on their preparation, experience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive analysis was conducted including frequencies and percentages. Free-text comments were summarised using thematic analysis.ResultsOne hundred and thirty pharmacists completed the questionnaire. Pharmacists responded comprehensively to implementing infection control measures, for example, management of social distancing in the shop (96.2%), making adjustments to premises, for example, barriers/screens (95.4%), while maintaining medicines supply (100.0%) and advice to patients (93.1%). Newly commissioned services were provided, for example, emergency supply service (93.1%), influenza vaccination for healthcare workers (77.7%) and volunteer deliveries to vulnerable people (54.6%). Pharmacists were least prepared for the increased workload and patients’ challenging behaviour, but the majority (96.9%) reported that they felt better prepared during the second wave. Pharmacists agreed/strongly agreed that they would be able to re-establish normal services (87.7%), were willing to administer COVID-19 vaccines (80.7%) and provide COVID-19 testing (60.8%) in the future.ConclusionsCommunity pharmacists remained accessible and maintained supply of essential medicines and advice to patients throughout the pandemic. Provision of modified and additional services such as vaccination reinforced the clinical and public health role of pharmacy

’It stayed there, front and centre’: perspectives on community pharmacy’s contribution to front-line healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

“…We sought to recruit between 15 and 20 community pharmacists (with the final sample size guided by data saturation). Community pharmacists who took part in the telephone questionnaire study referred to in the Introduction section 5 were asked if they were interested in participating in a follow-up interview. Those who expressed an interest were contacted by telephone and those who confirmed interest were sent an invitation letter, information sheet and a consent form.…”

“…A three-phase research project was undertaken in Northern Ireland (NI) to assess community pharmacy’s preparedness for and response to the pandemic using Donabedian’s overarching three-pillar model of quality of care: structure, process and outcome. 3 Phase 1 (representing structure) was a documentary analysis of guidance and policy documents released over the initial months of the pandemic, 4 phase 2 (process) was used to gather quantitative data from a geographically stratified and representative sample of community pharmacists across NI, 5 while phase 3 (outcome) was a series of semistructured interviews with community pharmacists and key stakeholders and is reported in this paper. As outlined in the accompanying survey paper, 5 practice changed during this time, with essential services being maintained, other services suspended and new services being implemented.…”

“… 3 Phase 1 (representing structure) was a documentary analysis of guidance and policy documents released over the initial months of the pandemic, 4 phase 2 (process) was used to gather quantitative data from a geographically stratified and representative sample of community pharmacists across NI, 5 while phase 3 (outcome) was a series of semistructured interviews with community pharmacists and key stakeholders and is reported in this paper. As outlined in the accompanying survey paper, 5 practice changed during this time, with essential services being maintained, other services suspended and new services being implemented. Pharmacies introduced measures to prevent the spread of infection and to protect their staff, and became more involved in public health activities such as influenza vaccination.…”

“…They maintained contact with general practitioner (GP) colleagues and patients (largely by telephone), maintained and updated their professional knowledge and were enthusiastic about adopting roles that would contribute to future COVID-19 vaccination and testing. 5 …”

“…Furthermore, there has been little exploration of other stakeholders’ views of community pharmacy’s contribution to healthcare during the pandemic. Therefore, using the findings from the telephone survey 5 and with reference to the wider literature, the aim of this study was to explore community pharmacists and other stakeholders’ perspectives and reflections on the community pharmacy workforce’s preparedness for, and response to, COVID-19 including lessons for future public health crises.…”