title: Evaluating the appropriateness of a community pharmacy model for a colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia (Spain).
abstract: Background The traditional model of community pharmacy has changed, with patients, caregivers and consumers having access to many cognitive services other than the traditional dispensing and supply of medicines. In December 2009, a population-based colorectal cancer screening program started in Barcelona, introducing the community pharmacist and the professional expertise of the pharmacist into the organisational model. Aim To evaluate the program implementation process in the pharmacies, identify barriers and facilitators, and know the opinion of the professionals involved in the colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia (Spain). Methods Cross-sectional study of the pharmacies that participated in the first round of the program during the first and second trimester of 2010 in Barcelona. A validated questionnaire was used to analyse several functional aspects in the implementation process. Qualitative aspects about the opinion of the pharmacist were studied. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed. Results All the pharmacies involved in the program (n = 74) participated in the study. The majority of the sample population was composed of women (70.3%), mean age 44.9 years, and most of them (74%) had attended a specific training session. Pharmacists considered their participation in the program to be an added value to their professional role and a way to increase consumer's confidence on this kind of services. The average time to provide the service was estimated to be less than 10 minutes per consumer. Only three (4.1%) pharmacists considered that the program involved a lot of extra work in the daily activities of the pharmacy. The level of satisfaction of the pharmacists was very high. Conclusions Community pharmacies can be a successful alternative and great resource to implement a population cancer screening program. This functional model can improve the accessibility and participation rates on target population. The level of motivation of the community pharmacist, the specific training program and the perception to give a better care for their patients can be an enabler.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Health Studies, Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santolaya
authors.affiliation: 2 Preventive Medicine and Hospital Epidemiology Department, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aldea
authors.affiliation: 2 Preventive Medicine and Hospital Epidemiology Department, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.affiliation: 3 Official College of Pharmacists of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.affiliation: 3 Official College of Pharmacists of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barau
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Epidemiology and Evaluation, Hospital del Mar, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buron
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Epidemiology and Evaluation, Hospital del Mar, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francesc
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, CIBERehd, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castell
authors.affiliation: 3 Official College of Pharmacists of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: 6 Planning and Research Unit, Pharmaceutical Council of Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gascón
authors.affiliation: 6 Planning and Research Unit, Pharmaceutical Council of Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rius
authors.affiliation: 6 Planning and Research Unit, Pharmaceutical Council of Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guayta-Escolies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Community pharmacy; colon cancer; colorectal cancer screening; pharmaceutical care activities