Rural pharmacist perceptions of a project assessing their role in the management of depression.
OBJECTIVE
This paper explores pharmacist perceptions of a pilot study assessing the impact of specialist training on depression for rural community pharmacists on their understanding of treatment and psychological well-being of patients.


METHODS
Mixed method survey.


METHODS
Rural community pharmacies.


METHODS
Thirty-two rural based community pharmacists.


METHODS
Recruited pharmacists were allocated to either the 'control' or 'intervention' group. Intervention pharmacists were given training in depression and asked to dispense medication with extra advice and support, while control pharmacists provided usual care.


METHODS
Understanding of depression, current involvement in patients with depression, changes in practice.


RESULTS
All pharmacists were more likely to initiate conversation, discuss medication and its side effects, point out the importance of remaining on the medication, provide ongoing follow-up and encourage patients to talk with their GPs and pharmacists by the end of the project. Intervention pharmacists were more likely than the control pharmacists to initiate conversation on dispensing a repeat prescription and to discuss extended support.


CONCLUSIONS
Response to the project by pharmacists was generally very positive. It is recommended that a longitudinal study based on this project be undertaken which involves pharmacists, GPs and other mental health professionals and trials a holistic approach to mental health care.
School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia. jcrockett@csu.edu.au
Judith
J
Crockett
Susan
S
Taylor
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists; D010865:Pilot Projects; D024382:Professional Role; D019035:Rural Health Services