title: Towards improving service delivery in screening and intervention services in community pharmacies: a case study of an alcohol IBA service.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have demonstrated positive outcomes from a range of pharmacy public health services, but barriers to delivery remain. This paper explores the processes of delivering an alcohol screening and intervention service, with a view to improving service delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods, multi-perspective approach was used, comprising in-pharmacy observations and recording of service provision, follow-up interviews with service users and interactive feedback sessions with service providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observations and recordings indicate that staff missed opportunities to offer the service and that both availability and delivery of the service were inconsistent, partly owing to unavailability of trained staff and service restrictions. Most service users gave positive accounts of the service and considered pharmacies to be appropriate places for this service. Respondents also described positive impacts, ranging from thinking more about alcohol consumption generally to substantial reductions in consumption. Key facilitators to service provision included building staff confidence and service champions. Barriers included commissioning issues and staff perception of alcohol as a sensitive topic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support expansion of pharmacies' role in delivering public health services and highlight benefits of providing feedback to pharmacy staff on their service provision as a possible avenue for service improvement.
authors: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Mackridge
authors: Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Greenwich and Kent, Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Krska
authors: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK.
authors: E C
authors: EC
authors: Stokes
authors: Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Heim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alcohol; community pharmacy; primary care; screening; service improvement