Perinatal depression screening in community pharmacy: Exploring pharmacists’ roles, training and resource needs using content analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Perinatal depression (PND) screening is often recommended in primary care settings, which includes the community pharmacy setting. However, there is limited research exploring pharmacists’ perspectives on their roles in screening for perinatal mental illness. Aim This study aimed to explore pharmacists’ views of pharmacists’ roles in PND screening, as well as training and resource needs for PND screening in community pharmacy settings. Method A questionnaire including three open-ended questions focusing on pharmacists’ perspectives of their role in PND screening, their training, and resource needs in this area, was disseminated to pharmacists across Australia via professional organisations and social media. Each open-ended question was separately analysed by inductive content analysis. Subcategories were deductively mapped to the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results Responses (N = 149) from the first open-ended question about pharmacists’ roles in PND screening resulted in three categories (PND screening in primary care settings will support the community, community pharmacy environment, and system and policy changes) and ten subcategories. Responses to question two on training needs (n = 148) were categorised as: training content, training length, and training delivery while responses about resource needs (n = 147) fell into three categories: adapting community pharmacy operating structures, pharmacist-specific resources, and consumer-specific resources. Conclusion While some pharmacists were accepting of a role in PND screening due to pharmacists’ accessibility and positive relationships with consumers, others had concerns regarding whether PND screening was within pharmacists’ scope of practice. Further training and resources are needed to facilitate pharmacists’ roles in PND screening, referral and care.