Diabetes care in Norwegian pharmacies: a descriptive study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe Norwegian pharmacies' involvement in diabetes care, to investigate pharmacists' views on future services and to investigate whether the recommendations in the Norwegian diabetes declaration for pharmacies have been implemented. Setting Hospital and community pharmacies in Norway.


METHODS
All 543 pharmacies in Norway, of which 511 were community pharmacies and 32 were hospital pharmacies, received a link to a web-based questionnaire. One pharmacist from each pharmacy was asked to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire covered subjects ranging from the diabetes declaration and the pharmacists' views on which services the pharmacy should offer in the future, to demographic characteristics.


RESULTS
In total 358 (66%) questionnaires were completed. The diabetes declaration was read by 37% of the pharmacists. Almost all pharmacies complied with the declarations' recommendations regarding glucose monitoring services. Twenty four percent of the pharmacies could offer medication reviews, and roughly 10% could offer screening for undiagnosed diabetes. Counseling on lifestyle issues was the least implemented recommendation. Eighty one percent of the pharmacists reported a wish to expand their services towards diabetes patients. Services in regard to glucose monitoring had the highest score, however the views on which services should be offered varied a great deal. Already performing a service increased the chance of the pharmacist being positive towards offering it.


CONCLUSIONS
Norwegian pharmacists report that they are involved in a wide range of diabetes related services, although only 37% report to have read the diabetes declaration. The pharmacists generally wish to actively support patients with diabetes, and further research should concentrate on identifying the areas where their involvement is most productive.
Kjome
Reidun L S
RL
Section for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen/ Institute for Pharmacy Practice Research (APOFORSK), Kalfarveien 31, 5018 Bergen, Norway. reidun.kjome@isf.uib.no
Sandberg
Sverre
S
Granås
Anne Gerd
AG
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009664:Norway; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends*; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D011364:Professional Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose