title: Over-the-counter advice for genital problems: the role of the community pharmacist.
abstract: This year, in the UK, levonorgestrel was approved for sale in pharmacies for emergency contraception. This study assessed, using a postal questionnaire, the ability of community pharmacists to provide advice relating to sexual health, their comfort and training in this area, and their knowledge of local genitourinary medicine (GUM) services. Fifty-four per cent of pharmacists responded. Most (79%) did not know where their nearest GUM department was; only 21% had ever advised a patient to attend a GUM clinic. Twenty-nine per cent said they were not able to broach the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with a patient of both sexes. Forty-four per cent had received training related to post-coital contraception. Greater liaison between GUM departments and community pharmacists is suggested as a way of increasing the proportion of patients presenting to a pharmacist who are referred appropriately to a GUM clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals Trust, Clayton Hospital, Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3JS, UK. Susan.Ralph@excha.yhs-tr.northy.nhs.uk
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012380:Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs