title: Role of community pharmacists in the use of antipsychotics for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to use qualitative methodology to understand the current role of community pharmacists in limiting the use of antipsychotics prescribed inappropriately for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study employing focus groups was conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  3 different geographical locations in the England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community pharmacists (n=22).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The focus groups identified an array of factors and constraints, which affect the ability of community pharmacists to contribute to initiatives to limit the use of antipsychotics. 3 key themes were revealed: (1) politics and the medical hierarchy, which created communication barriers; (2) how resources and remit impact the effectiveness of community pharmacy; and (3) understanding the nature of the treatment of dementia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that an improvement in communication between community pharmacists and healthcare professionals, especially general practitioners (GPs) must occur in order for community pharmacists to assist in limiting the use of antipsychotics in people with dementia. Additionally, extra training in working with people with dementia is required. Thus, an intervention which involves appropriately trained pharmacists working in collaboration with GPs and other caregivers is required. Overall, within the current environment, community pharmacists question the extent to which they can contribute in helping to reduce the prescription of antipsychotics.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing (ARCHA), Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4152-9704
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Maidment
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aston
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Avante Care, Faversham, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Child
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003142:Communication; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000592:standards*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH