Feedback from community pharmacy users on the contribution of community pharmacy to improving the public's health: a systematic review of the peer reviewed and non‐peer reviewed literature 1990–2002

Abstract

Objective To systematically review feedback from pharmacy users on their perceptions and experiences of health-related advice and services provided from community pharmacies.Methods The focus of the review was community pharmacy activities in relation to promoting health and well-being, preventing ill-health and maintaining health. Searches were conducted for peerreviewed (international) and non-peer-reviewed (UK) research. Electronic databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts; hand searches of key journals and conference abstracts, key informants. Key informants in the UK were contacted to identify unpublished studies. The inclusion period was 1990 onwards.Data extraction and synthesis Data were abstracted into a matrix by one author with a sample checked by a second. The Health Development Agency's Evidence Base 2000 standards and the evidence categories used by the Department of Health in the National Service Frameworks were applied to each item.Main results Seven peer reviewed papers and 13 non-peer reviewed reports were identified for inclusion in the review. Consumer usage of pharmacies is almost universal with prescription supplies and purchase of over the counter medicines predominating. Evidence shows that not only is usage low for general health advice, but that pharmacists are perceived as Ôdrugs experts' rather than experts on health and illness. Emergency hormonal contraception and head lice management schemes have been well received. There is a need to consider privacy and confidentiality surrounding advice giving.

Public attitudes towards community pharmacy attributes and preferences for methods for promotion of public health services

“…Surprisingly, the preference for privacy in consultations was relatively low with only 30% preferring to talk with a pharmacist in a private room. This appears to contrast with other findings suggesting that a perceived lack of private consultation facilities in pharmacies, although increasingly unwarranted, is a barrier to using community pharmacies for health advice 3,7,8,21 . This is the first study to investigate potential advertising techniques for promoting pharmacy public health services in England.…”

General public's views on pharmacy public health services: current situation and opportunities in the future

“…13,20,31 The findings represent the general public's (societal) perspective, rather than the views only of service users or pharmacy customers, as is the case with many other studies 10,15,31 seeking views on pharmacy services. Data were gathered using a range of different methods to maximize the diversity of the sample.…”

“…30 Other factors found to reduce willingness to use pharmacy services are lack of awareness of the availability of consultation rooms, lack of awareness of services and the busyness of pharmacies. 15,19,31 One further factor raised by FDG participants is that their lifetime view of the pharmacist as an expert on medicines 31 needs to change in order to accept public health services.…”

Healthy living champions network: An opportunity for community pharmacy's sustained participation in tackling local health inequalities

“…Research has recognised that the public trusts advice received from community pharmacies 5 . A review of evidence has confirmed the potential of pharmacy in the area of delivering public health initiatives, and suggests that pharmacy teams can make a positive contribution to public health 6 .…”

“…An extensive body of evidence demonstrates the improved health outcomes from community pharmacy initiatives 6,9 . However, research has indicated that although the diversifying role of community pharmacy from traditional dispensing activities to greater involvement in health improvement is largely accepted, and the importance of providing health and well-being services is understood, the role is still considered secondary to medicine related roles.…”