A snapshot of pharmacist attitudes and behaviors surrounding the management of pediatric asthma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to identify the current status of pediatric asthma management in the Australian community pharmacy setting from the pharmacists' perspective. This research will allow us to identify training needs of community pharmacists.


METHODS
Pharmacists were recruited from the Sydney metropolitan region and asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire that elucidated information on four general domains relating to pediatric asthma management within community pharmacy. All data collected were analysed descriptively. Bivariate Pearson correlations were performed to determine whether interrelationships existed between specific domains.


RESULTS
All 77 pharmacists completed the questionnaire. Thirty-two percent had not completed any asthma related CPD in the past year and only 25% of pharmacists reported using the national asthma guidelines in practice. Just over half of the pharmacists (54%) reported that they provide device technique demonstrations for new inhaled medicines, and 35% of pharmacists reported that they check for written asthma self-management plan possession. Although 65% of pharmacists reported confidence in communication skills, most pharmacists were not confident in setting short-/long-term goals with the patient and carer for managing asthma at home. Pharmacists believed that they are just as effective as doctors in providing asthma counseling and education. Lack of time was identified as a significant barrier.


CONCLUSIONS
We have identified a gap between guideline recommended practices and the self-reported practices of community pharmacists. Pharmacists need more appropriate continuing education programs that can translate into improved pediatric asthma self-management practices and thus improved asthma outcomes in children. This may require an alternative approach.
a Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney , NSW , Australia .
Amanda
A
Elaro
b Primary Health Care Education and Research Unit, Primary and Community Health Network, Sydney West Area Health Service , Sydney , NSW , Australia .|c Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia , and.
Smita
S
Shah
a Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney , NSW , Australia .|d Sydney Local Health District , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
Carol L
CL
Armour
a Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney , NSW , Australia .|d Sydney Local Health District , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
Sinthia
S
Bosnic-Anticevich
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D062209:Patient Handoff; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
Pediatrics; childhood asthma; management; pharmacy; primary care