Pharmaceutical care for visually impaired patients: A qualitative study of community pharmacists' needs and professional experience

Abstract

Abstract Background Visual impairment is a disability that can have a significant impact on the ability to take medication safely. As a result, pharmacists must adjust their support towards targeted and adapted support for this type of patient. There is little scientific literature about awareness and support for visually impaired people regarding the safe use of medications. Furthermore, this aspect is poorly considered in the basic and continuous training of community pharmacists. Aim he aims of the present study were (1) to illustrate the usual clinical practice of community pharmacists to support the optimisation of medication use in visually impaired patients, and (2) to identify their needs and expectations to improve pharmaceutical care for visually impaired patients. Method Semi-structured interviews with 18 community pharmacists were conducted. Participants were recruited on a voluntary basis and through a snowball method. Data processing was based on the thematic analysis method of Braun & Clarke (2006). The NVivo software allowed us to organise data to the point of theoretical saturation. Results The data processing allowed us to highlight a lack of knowledge and skills of pharmacists in dealing with visually impaired patients. This review proposes a theorisation with a model including four themes to promote the dispensing of adapted pharmaceutical care to patients with visual impairment. Conclusion The qualitative data collected in this study provide interesting leads for the development of recommendations and training for pharmacists.