The evaluation of patient self-completion concordance forms used in community pharmacy: a comparison of two European countries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of patient self-completion concordance forms in Dutch and Bulgarian pharmacies. Second, to show any differences in pharmacy practice and patient behaviour in two European countries: the Netherlands and Bulgaria.


METHODS
A random sample of 500 pharmacies were approached per country. Patients at the start of a chronic treatment were invited to participate. At the first dispensing patients received a self-completion concordance form (SCCF). Patients were asked to fill in the SCCF at home and bring it to the appointment for their consultation at the second dispensing. After the consultations patients and pharmacists were asked to fill in a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Twenty-four Dutch pharmacies (99 patients) and 41 Bulgarian pharmacies (241 patients) sent back study results. A higher proportion of Bulgarian patients answered questions on the SCCF compared to Dutch patients. Patients from both countries are satisfied with the SCCF, consultation and newly started medicine.


CONCLUSIONS
Although differences between pharmacies from the Netherlands and Bulgaria exist, the SCCF can be used at the start of chronic treatment. More research in other European countries will be necessary to further develop the use of the SCCF in community pharmacies. Eventually this could be used to develop indicators to measure patient involvement in pharmaceutical care.
Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Marlies M E
MM
Geurts
Iris A
IA
Zuydgeest
Sabine
S
Walser
Nico B
NB
Kijlstra
Valentina
V
Petkova
Johan J
JJ
de Gier
D002031:Bulgaria; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010358:Patient Participation; D010595:Pharmacists; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
community pharmacy; delivery of care; medicines management; patient behaviour; primary care