Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP
-
Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2021
Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the provision of pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies.
Community pharmacists and their teams are easy accessible healthcare providers with an important role in primary care. As a consequence of the COVID-19 epidemic, (pharmaceutical) care and specifically communication between patients and healthcare providers is compromised. ⋯ Our results show considerable impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on both logistic procedures and services regarding patient education and counseling. Pharmacies should be stimulated to implement telepharmacy or remote service to optimally support patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.
-
Community pharmacies provide an important healthcare service, which is broadly established, and constitutes the preferred and initial contact for members of the community. The significant value of community pharmacies was further highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. ⋯ Government and policymakers strive to mitigate the shortage of PPE and medication. More attention should be given to infection control measures around interactions between staff and customers to ensure community pharmacists are fit and able to provide continuity in their important role. Educating customers using regularly-updated posters, banners or signs will contribute to decreasing contact with patients, and reducing the number and duration of visits to the pharmacy. Pandemic preparedness of community pharmacists must also extend to reporting procedures. By avoiding under-reporting or over-reporting, community pharmacists will contribute to accurate monitoring of the national spread of infection.
-
Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2021
Community pharmacists and communication in the time of COVID-19: Applying the health belief model.
The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic presents an unprecedented health communications challenge. Healthcare providers should reinforce behaviors that limit the spread of the pandemic, including social distancing and remaining in the home whenever possible. ⋯ Community pharmacists can reinforce mitigation behaviors by applying the health belief model (HBM). This commentary provides an overview of the HBM and offers suggestions on how community pharmacists can use it as a guide to patient communication in these uncertain contexts.
-
Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2021
Amid COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges with access to care for COPD patients.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammation in the lungs that causes obstruction in the airway, poor airflow, and irreversible loss of lung function. In clinical practice, comprehensive care for COPD patients includes the diagnosis using spirometry, clinical examination and comprehensive pharmacological and non-pharmacological management. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, dyspnea and lung function impairment and can be mild to very severe. ⋯ A meta-analysis including studies from January to March 2020 in Wuhan showed that pre-existing COPD worsens the risk of COVID-19 progression and leads to poorer prognostics. The sub-group analysis showed a significantly higher risk of ICU requirements and death in COPD patients who are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Studies suggest strong efforts to mitigate the risk of infection in this population (Zhao et al., May 2020).2 This makes caring for this population even more critical during the pandemic.