Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Assessment in Community Pharmacies: An Implementation Study

Abstract

The implementation of a new service is often challenging when translating research findings into routine clinical practices. This paper presents the results of the implementation study of a pilot project for a diabetes and cardiovascular diseases risk-assessment service in Belgian community pharmacies. To evaluate the implementation of the service, a mixed method was used that follows the RE-AIM framework. During the testing stage, 37 pharmacies participated, including five that dropped out due to a lack of time or COVID-19-related temporary obligations. Overall, 502 patients participated, of which 376 (74.9%) were eligible for according-to-protocol analysis. Of these, 80 patients (21.3%) were identified as being at high risk for the targeted diseases, and 100 (26.6%) were referred to general practice for further investigation. We presented the limited effectiveness and the key elements influencing optimal implementation. Additional strategies, such as interprofessional workshops, a data-sharing platform, and communication campaigns, should be considered to spread awareness of the new role of pharmacists. Such strategies could also promote collaboration with general practitioners to ensure the follow-up of patients at high risk. Overall, this service was considered easy to perform and feasible in practice but would require financial and external support to ensure its effectiveness, sustainability, and larger-scale implementation.

Design and Development of Tools for Risk Evaluation of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Community Pharmacy

“…This research complements a first study in Belgium examining the feasibility of offering a risk-assessment service for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in community pharmacies and the factors influencing its implementation. Descriptive details on the methodology of the risk assessment, results of the implementation study and its feasibility in practice were reported by Rondeaux et al [12]. Our present study aimed to develop materials to support pharmacists in their new role of providing a risk assessment service to their patients.…”

“…The development procedure was inspired by the basic steps for developing health education tools using a user-centred approach [11,12]. The development of the materials involved a multistep process, including a need assessment phase involving a literature review and discussions with stakeholders, and a creative design phase followed by the evaluation of the materials created.…”

“…An implementation study was conducted to identify the contextual factors facilitating or hindering a successful implementation within community pharmacies and to explore the experiences of pharmacists and patients. Overall, the service was perceived as easy to perform and feasible in practice but will require external and financial support to guarantee its effectiveness and a sustainable, successful implementation [12].…”

“…Overview of the different stages of the development and design process. Notes: Descriptive details on the methodology of the risk assessment project and the results of the implementation study (dotted lines in the graph) are presented in a separate article[12].…”

The role of community pharmacists in primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer: an evaluation of a Flemish skin cancer prevention campaign

“…Therefore, there is a raising interest in involving community pharmacists in the prevention of skin cancer [ 45 – 47 ]. Belgium has a dense and accessible pharmacy network [ 48 – 50 ]. However, it is unclear which persons could be reached by Belgian community pharmacists for skin cancer awareness.…”