title: Community pharmacists require additional support to develop capacity in delivering alcohol-related health information to older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This qualitative study explored the barriers and enablers influencing Western Australian (WA) community pharmacists' knowledge, confidence, willingness and practice in engaging older clients (>60 years) in alcohol-related health discussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two focus groups were conducted with a total of 14 community pharmacists who had previously completed a formative quantitative survey (n = 63), and indicated willingness to participate in a follow-up focus group. Focus group questions, informed by the survey results, explored participants' perceptions about barriers and enablers to delivering health information and advice about alcohol to older clients (60+ years). Shaw and colleagues' theoretical framework was used to understand barriers and enablers in relation to role legitimacy, role adequacy and role support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants acknowledged that providing health information about alcohol to older clients is a legitimate part of a community pharmacist's role, and most were confident performing this role in situations perceived as core to their professional practice, such as while dispensing medicines. However, many participants identified limited knowledge, skills and confidence in assisting older clients who may have alcohol issues, beyond advising them on medication and alcohol use. Structural barriers such as time and financial barriers were also identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine professional practice including dispensing medicine and home medicine reviews may provide valuable opportunities to engage older clients in alcohol-related discussions. However, limited knowledge concerning appropriate strategies to assist older clients reduce their alcohol consumption, coupled with limited skills and confidence among community pharmacists in raising sensitive alcohol-related issues with clients, suggest the need for specific alcohol-related training and support.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dare
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University and National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.affiliation: PSWA, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garlepp
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allsop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: aged; alcohol; community pharmacists; older drinkers; public health