The International journal of pharmacy practice
-
Many family carers provide assistance with medicines that is vital for optimal clinical outcomes. Medicines-related tasks are known to contribute to carer burden and stress. This study examined the experiences of family carers when providing medicines-related assistance for a person with dementia, to indicate how services could become more responsive to the specific needs of this group of carers. ⋯ This study highlights the distinct needs and problems with regard to medicines-management when caring for a person with dementia. As the prevalence of dementia rises, interventions designed to address these specific aspects of reduce carer-burden should be a priority for health professionals.
-
The objective of this article is to explore three key ethical tenets that pharmacists should consider prior to participating in global health outreach. ⋯ Because of their unique skillset, pharmacists have the potential to make significant contributions to global health. Applying ethical principles, such as providing the best possible care, respecting cultural differences and meeting societal needs, provides the foundation for successful global health outreach by pharmacists.
-
The objectives of this study are to explore stroke patients' and carers' beliefs and concerns about medicines and identify the barriers to medication adherence for secondary stroke prevention. ⋯ Many of the difficulties stroke patients have adhering to secondary prevention strategies are potentially preventable with tailored information provision and appropriate monitoring and follow-up by primary healthcare professionals. We have designed an intervention addressing the identified barriers to medicine taking, the impact of which is currently being measured in a randomised controlled trial of a pharmacist-led home-based clinical medication review in stroke patients.
-
The electronic Minor Ailments Service (e-MAS), implemented in all community pharmacies in Scotland since 2006, allows pharmacists to manage minor ailments at no charge to patients including provision of medication, advice or referral. E-MAS is supported through an electronic network, 'E-pharmacy', which is managed by National Health Service Scotland. E-pharmacy has the capacity to remotely record e-MAS activities, such as details of medicines supply and patient registration allowing provision of feedback to community pharmacies. ⋯ This qualitative study has identified potential benefits of performance feedback data to pharmacists' practice. Key barriers to the use of the feedback, such as the issues of privacy and confidentiality need to be addressed by National Health Service information providers. Findings warrant further large scale evaluation of their application to practice.
-
To explore the General Practitioner (GP)-pharmacist relationship, to gain insight into communication between the professions and evaluate opinion on extension of the role of the community pharmacist. ⋯ This study identifies a clear difference of opinion on the extension of the role of the community pharmacist and recognises problems in communication between the professions. This comes on the background of continued calls from the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for an extension of pharmacist roles and continued opposition from the Irish Medical Organisation to such moves. This study highlights the need for increased dialogue between representative organisations and a commitment for professional agendas to be set aside in the best interests of patients.