Drug dispensing and information giving in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to examine drug dispensing and associated activity in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The paper aims to describe factors associated with patient information giving and dispensing time.


METHODS
A specific protocol for recording data gathered from observations included: number of dispensing sessions; medical specialties active at the time; medication number and type; dispensing outcome; if information giving was observed and dispensing time. Information giving and time were considered response variables. The chi-square test and odds-ratios were used to verify associations between response and explanatory variables.


RESULTS
In 43 percent (45) consultations, information giving accompanied dispensing and was associated with number of dispensing sessions and medical specialty offered on a particular day. Assistance time was associated with drug type and number, which increased as dispensing sessions decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Seasonal variations in the demand for pharmacy assistance were not investigated and sample size precluded multivariate analyses. Consequently, new studies may deepen understanding about communication between physicians, pharmacy assistants and users.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacy staff could improve quality and efficiency if two aspects were taken into account: fluctuating workload, and external conditions within which tasks are undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
The paper identifies external conditions that interfere with drug dispensing.
UFMG - Preventive and Social Medicine, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. luciana_davila@yahoo.com.br
Luciana Souza
LS
d'Avila
Ada Avila
AA
Assunção
Soraya Almeida
SA
Belisário
Daisy Maria Xavier
DM
de Abreu
D000208:Acute Disease; D001938:Brazil; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload