title: Community pharmacists' attitudes toward and professional interactions with users of psychiatric medication.
abstract: Consumers of psychiatric medications or services may be stigmatized by health care providers. The authors surveyed community pharmacists (N=283) in the greater Toronto area to determine their attitudes toward and professional interactions with patients who used psychiatric medications and those who used cardiovascular medications. Despite generally positive attitudes, pharmacists reported feeling more uncomfortable discussing symptoms and medications with patients who have mental illness than with patients who have cardiovascular problems. Patients with mental illness appeared to receive fewer pharmacy services than patients with cardiovascular disorders. Barriers to receipt of counseling included a lack of privacy and inadequate training. Adequate training in mental health may be key in improving the professional interactions of community pharmacists toward patients who use psychiatric medication.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Phokeo
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sproule
authors.forename: Lalitha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raman-Wilms
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs