Patient responses to an integrated service, initiated by community pharmacists, for the prevention of osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an integrated service provided by pharmacists to consumers based on the results of a risk‐assessment survey carried out by the pharmacist and testing of bone mineral density (BMD) by a radiographer. It also investigated whether measurement of BMD in the pharmacy increased the effectiveness of the service and pharmacist referral in terms of adherence to advice and uptake of referral compared with the same service offered without BMD testing. Setting Community pharmacists in urban and rural settings in New South Wales, Australia, delivered the service. Method The adherence to advice or referral given by 12 community pharmacists during 2003 to 217 participants about the prevention of osteoporosis following screening with either a BMD test plus risk‐assessment questionnaire or a risk‐assessment questionnaire only was compared. Key findings No significant between‐group differences in adherence to advice or referral were found. However, participants valued the BMD service significantly more highly than the non‐BMD service as measured by satisfaction scores. Conclusions Consumers were interested in receiving information about osteoporosis and their own risk of it and even greater interest in BMD testing in the pharmacy. There was no difference in uptake of referral or advice following either questionnaire only or questionnaire plus BMD testing. Low uptake of referral and advice overall by those deemed to be at high risk is of concern. Far greater education and encouragement for consumers to follow through is required.

Tobacco users' perceptions of a brief tobacco cessation intervention in community pharmacies

“…Tobacco users’ positive attitudes toward displaying quitting resources resonate with what has been observed in previous tobacco-related25 and other literature, such as osteoporosis counseling in community pharmacies 37…”

Measurement of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services: a review

“…These specialised service models incorporate the idea of trained pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care or disease management through patient assessment, objective/subjective disease parameter testing, ongoing follow ups and collaboration with other health care providers. In the last decade, a plethora of innovative pharmacy-based services have been developed and tested and have demonstrated positive health outcomes in a variety of clinical areas including asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis [2][3][4][5]. Concurrently, Australian pharmacy practice has also evolved, and complex, advanced community pharmacybased services models, demonstrating positive health outcomes, have now been developed and tested [6][7][8].…”

An analysis of inter-professional collaboration in osteoporosis screening at a primary care level using the D'Amour model

“…These RCTs were conducted by various healthcare professionals such as primary care physicians,(53, 54) orthopaedic surgeons, (55,54) pharmacists (38)(39)(40) and nurses. (56).…”

“…Although, most pharmaceutical care services are mainly targeted at treatment of osteoporosis. A further literature search revealed that there are three randomized control trials (RCTs) conducted by community pharmacies in Canada, Australia and US to evaluate the impact of pharmacist's interventions on osteoporosis management (38)(39)(40). However, two of these studies were considered biased (41).…”

“…However, two of these studies were considered biased (41). Nonetheless, all three studies provided attestation that the intervention of pharmacists increased the number of patients that had their BMD tested and calcium intake initiated, indicating that pharmacists may have a role to play in reducing the gap in osteoporosis management (38)(39)(40). To date, there is no osteoporosis screening program in Malaysia.…”