title: Views of the Scottish general public on non-medical prescribing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Under UK legislation, suitably qualified non-medical professionals can practise as prescribers. Few studies have explored the views of the general public towards non-medical prescribing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to explore the views of the Scottish general public on non-medical prescribing.
  
  
  METHODS
  General community in Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pre-piloted survey was mailed to a random sample of 5,000 members of the general public in Scotland. In addition to the items on awareness of and attitudes towards non-medical prescribing, respondents were asked to 'give any other comments, issues or concerns you have in relation to health professionals other than doctors prescribing.' Responses were subjected to content analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Key themes identified from content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall questionnaire response rate was 37.1 % (n = 1,855) of which 27.2 % (n = 505) provided comments. Most were directly related to pharmacist prescribing (n = 312) while others referred to non-medical prescribers generically (n = 172) or other healthcare professionals (n = 79). Nine themes were identified: perception of knowledge and training; support for a limited range of non-medical prescribing; access to medical records; motivation and convenience; confidence, faith and trust; privacy and confidentiality; risks, controls and continuity of care; supervision and conflict of interest; communication and cooperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings identify support for non-medical prescribing but indicate the need for non-medical prescribers to engage more with the general public. The comments also provide insight into the challenges for non-medical prescribers, as they strive to fulfil their extended healthcare roles.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: MacLure
authors.forename: Johnson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diack
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D007885:Legislation, Pharmacy; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010595:Pharmacists; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024382:Professional Role; D012606:Scotland; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs