Abstract
Abstract
Background
People living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) often take multiple medications and are at risk of experiencing medication related problems. Medication review services have the potential to reduce inappropriate use of psychotropic medications and improve adherence. However, there is limited research regarding pharmacists’ perspectives when providing such services.
Aim
To explore community pharmacists’ views and experiences of providing an in-pharmacy medication review (MedsCheck) for people living with SPMI.
Method
Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2021 and May 2022 with community pharmacists participating in the comparator group of the PharMIbridge Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), which aimed to improve medication adherence and manage physical health concerns for people living with SPMI. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results
Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists including pharmacy owners, managers and employee pharmacists. Most pharmacist participants who were interviewed (n = 10) were aged under 39 and more than half (n = 8) had 10 or more years of pharmacy experience. Five key themes were identified: 1) Pharmacists’ roles in the management of SPMI in community pharmacy; 2) Mental health education and training; 3) Pharmacy resources; 4) Challenges with interprofessional collaboration and 5) Impact on professional relationships and consumer outcomes.
Conclusion
Pharmacists are motivated to support people living with SPMI. Mental health training, as well as arrangements regarding pharmacy workflow and appropriate remuneration are needed to enable pharmacists to better support people living with SPMI. Referral pathways should be directly accessible by community pharmacists to assist interprofessional collaboration.
Funder
Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government
University of Sydney
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference52 articles.
1. Al-babtain B, Cheema E, Hadi MA. Impact of community-pharmacist-led medication review programmes on patient outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022;18(4):2559–68.
2. Jokanovic N, Tan ECK, Sudhakaran S, et al. Pharmacist-led medication review in community settings: An overview of systematic reviews. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2017;13(4):661–85.
3. Griese-Mammen N, Hersberger KE, Messerli M, et al. PCNE definition of medication review: reaching agreement. Int J Clin Pharm. 2018;40(5):1199–208.
4. NICE Medicines and Prescribing Centre (UK). Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom. 2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305021/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK305021.pdf. Accessed 30 Oct 2023.
5. World Health Organization. Medication safety in polypharmacy: technical report. World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland. 2019. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/patient-safety/who-uhc-sds-2019-11-eng.pdf. Accessed 30 Oct 2023.