A qualitative exploration of the barriers and enablers to supporting informal and familial carers within community pharmacies

Abstract

Abstract Objectives There are approximately 5.3 million informal carers in the United Kingdom, many of whom support family in their health despite being unpaid and often unsupported. Many visit pharmacies to collect medicines and look for advice. This work explores informal carer support within community pharmacies (CP). Methods Semi-structured video interviews exploring perspectives on the role of CP in supporting carers were conducted in autumn 2022. The study received institutional ethical approval. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Key findings In total 25 interviews were conducted with 13 carers and 12 pharmacy staff. Three themes were identified: -What support do carers need through CP?—medicines management, navigating services, and carers health and wellbeing. -Barriers to CP better supporting carers—relationships with CP, carer needs, identification as a ‘carer’. -Enablers to CP better supporting carers—support is a team effort, and CP as a community ‘hub’. Conclusions There is a trusted relationships between carers and pharmacy staff which can contribute to establishing pharmacies as a safe space of support, this includes medicines-specific support and navigating services, but also carer health and wellbeing support. Pharmacy staff may need to reconsider approaches to identifying and supporting carers and not just treating them as an extension of supporting a patient. In making this support accessible, relationships with pharmacy staff are important, as well as embracing CP as a ‘community hub’, although pharmacy staff may need training and information to facilitate them in this role.