Data collection methods for analyzing the quality of the dispensing in pharmacies.
OBJECTIVE
To review and discuss the advantages and limitations of the different data collection methods for analyzing the dispensing quality in community pharmacies.


METHODS
A bibliographic search was carried out in MEDLINE (1980-2000). Articles with Medical Subject Heading (Mesh) "pharmacies" written in English and Spanish that evaluated the quality of dispensing (structure, process or outcome) were selected.


RESULTS
Various data collection methods were observed. To analyze the quality of the structure, questionnaires and pharmacist interviews were used. To analyze the quality of the process, self-completed records, external observers and simulated clients were used. For analyzing the quality of the outcome, questionnaires, client interviews, and biologic samples were collected.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis of quality of structure can be useful as a first approach, however, this method may lack sensitivity. On the other hand, the analysis of outcome may be excessively complex and difficult to use, except for experimental or observational studies with large resources. Therefore, an analysis of the quality of the process is the best option. Methods utilizing external observers and simulated clients may best conjugate both internal and external validity.
Caamaño
Francisco
F
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Ruano
Alberto
A
Figueiras
Adolfo
A
Gestal-Otero
J J
JJ
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data