title: Implementation of a professional program in Finnish community pharmacies in 2000-2002.
abstract: The aim was to assess implementation of a national 4-year project to promote professional strategy in Finnish community pharmacies during the 2.5 years of program's action in 2000-2002. A survey of random sample of 734 community pharmacists in Finland was conducted in 2002 (response rate 51%, n = 376). The questionnaire included an implementation scale and two open-ended questions on patient counselling. Many of the actions were not optimally implemented 2.5 years after starting the project. Some individual actions may have been taken, but the systematic long-term development process has not yet been started in many pharmacies. Future challenges in implementation will be a better commitment of the pharmacy owners to the goals of the national professional strategy and a better access to Internet-based drug information sources while counselling patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 Viikinkaari 5 E, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. heli.kansanaho@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kansanaho
authors.forename: Inka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Puumalainen
authors.forename: Maaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varunki
authors.forename: Riiitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005387:Finland; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires