title: The Role of Pharmacists in Caring for Young People With Chronic Illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceived and potential roles of pharmacists in the care of young people aged 10-24 years with chronic illness, through the exemplar of juvenile arthritis, from the perspectives of UK community and hospital pharmacists, health service commissioners, rheumatology health professionals, and lay advocates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sequential mixed methods study design comprises the following: focus groups with community and hospital pharmacists; telephone interviews with pharmacy and rheumatology stakeholders and commissioners; and multidisciplinary group discussions to prioritize roles generated by the first two qualitative phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The high priority roles for pharmacists, identified by pharmacists and rheumatology staff, were developing generic health care skills among young people; transferring information effectively across care interfaces; building trusting relationships with young people; helping young people to find credible online health information; and the need to develop specialist expertise. Participants identified associated challenges for pharmacists in supporting young people with chronic illness. These challenges included parents collecting prescription refills alone, thus reducing opportunities to engage, and pharmacist isolation from the wider health care team.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has led to the identification of specific enhancements to pharmacy services for young people, which have received the endorsement of a wide range of stakeholders. These suggestions could inform the next steps in developing the contribution of community and hospital pharmacy to support young people with chronic illness in the optimal use of their medication.
authors.affiliation: Green Line Consulting Limited, Manchester, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nicola@greenlineconsulting.co.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: NIHR CLAHRC West Midlands, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Felicity J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Right Medicine Pharmacy, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, Bolton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Research UK, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit, Aston University, Pharmacy Department, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research and NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McDonagh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; Chronic disease; Community pharmacy services; Hospital pharmacy service; Juvenile arthritis; Medication therapy management; Pharmacy; Rheumatology; Transition to adult care; Young adult