Pharmacists' opinions regarding level of involvement in emergency preparedness and response.
OBJECTIVE
To assess opinions of pharmacist-members of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM) regarding the appropriate level of pharmacists' involvement in emergency preparedness and response activities and to determine whether opinions differed according to demographic characteristics.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive, Web-based survey.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
Five hundred eighteen APhA-APPM member-pharmacists.


METHODS
Responses to survey questions.


RESULTS
Respondents to our survey indicated that pharmacists should have a high level of involvement in emergency preparedness and response activities. Traditional pharmacy practice activities (such as medication preparation and dispensing) and patient education were the most highly supported roles for pharmacists. Newer activities such as surveillance, vaccine administration, and mobilization were also strongly supported. Demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, degree, state of residence, practice setting, and employment setting, did not influence respondents' opinions. The only characteristic that influenced pharmacist opinions was previous participation in local and/or state emergency preparedness and response activities. Compared with other respondents, pharmacists who participated in these activities gave higher ratings to these possible roles for pharmacists: surveillance, triage/evaluation, community planning and preparation, mobilization, and training of others.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacist-members of APhA-APPM who responded to this survey believe that participating in public health activities related to emergency preparedness and response is important for members of the pharmacy profession.
Pedersen
Craig A
CA
Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1291, USA. pedersen.18@osu.edu
Canaday
Bruce R
BR
Ellis
William M
WM
Keyes
Elizabeth K
EK
Pietrantoni
Adele
A
Rothholz
Mitchel C
MC
Thomas
Charles C
CC
Tong
Theodore G
TG
Tonrey
Lisa L
LL
Tucker
Timothy L
TL
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024382:Professional Role; D023481:Terrorism