Medicine-related questions handled by community pharmacists: an exploratory study.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to determine what type of medicine-related questions community pharmacists were asked and to ascertain whether responses given were appropriate.


METHODS
All community pharmacists from three Primary Care Trusts were invited to participate in a week-long exploratory study. Piloted data-collection forms were self-completed. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel and statistical tests conducted with Minitab.


RESULTS
Sixty-six medicines-related questions were answered by participating pharmacists. The type of questions asked were varied and asked by patients, the general public and health care professionals. Most answers (over 80%) were assessed as being appropriate; only four questions raised concern with assessors that possible patient harm may have resulted. Almost half (42%) of the questions were answered without consultation to any reference source.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the small-scale nature of the study the findings show that community pharmacists provide a good-quality service that is easily accessible to all people. However, the failure to use reference sources may impact on pharmacists' ability to answer medicine-related questions fully.
Rutter
Paul M
PM
Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. paul.rutter@wlv.ac.uk
Warren
Sharon
S
Rutter
Jill
J
D000328:Adult; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000592:standards; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D024382:Professional Role; D055815:Young Adult