Designing pharmacy services based on grocery store patron preferences.
OBJECTIVE
To assess preferences of grocery store patrons concerning pharmacy services and identify study participant characteristics that may predict the success of pharmacy services in the community setting.


METHODS
Self-administered survey.


METHODS
Central Ohio from December 16, 2005, to January 12, 2006.


METHODS
163 grocery store patrons.


METHODS
Eight grocery store survey events.


METHODS
Responses to survey items about (1) perceived importance of 28 pharmacy services, (2) identification of the 3 most important services, (3) frequency of grocery store and pharmacy use, (4) preferred methods of advertising pharmacy services, and (5) socioeconomic demographics. Preferred services delineated by various demographics also were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 163 surveys were returned from study participants. Nine services appeared in both the top 12 overall preferred services and the 12 highest-ranked services. Statistically significant differences were observed among services ranked as important or very important by age, race, employment, income, caregiver status, and prescription drug coverage status. The three advertising tools selected most frequently included: weekly grocery store ads (68.6%), in-store signs (51.0%), and flyers attached to prescription bags (36.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Grocery store patrons would like a wide range of nontraditional pharmacy services that could be implemented into community pharmacies. Pharmacies in grocery stores need to provide both traditional and expanded pharmacy services to meet the desires and expectations of current and potential patients, and expanded marketing methods should be considered.
Lindstrom
Nicolette S Raya
NS
Kroger Pharmacy, Lancaster, Ohio, USA.
Casper
Kristin A
KA
Green
Tara R
TR
Pedersen
Craig A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010465:Perception; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010605:Pharmacy Administration; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors