Menu
  • Join
  • Login
  • Contact
 

Search abstracts / presentations


Translating Evidence to Practice: Implementation of a Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in Community Pharmacy

  • At: PPR SIG 2021 (2021)
  • Type: Digital
  • By: AMADOR-FERNáNDEZ, Noelia (Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Granada, Spain, Spain)
  • Co-author(s): Noelia Amador-Fernández (1,2), Emma L. Graham (1,3), Shalom I. Benrimoj (1), Vicente Colomer Molina (2,3,4), Victoria García-Cárdenas (1,5), Miguel Ángel Gastelurrutia (1,2,6), Jesús C. Gómez Martínez (2,3), Fernando Martínez-Martínez (1,2). 1 Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Granada, Spain. 2 Spanish Society of Community Pharmacy. 3 Community pharmacist, Spain. 4 Pharmaceutical Association of Valencia, Spain. 5 Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. 6 Pharmaceutical Association of Gipuzkoa, Spain.
  • Abstract:

    Introduction

    Dealing with minor ailments and direct non-prescription product requests (DPR) account for approximately 25% of usual practice of community pharmacies (CPs). However, there is much variability in service provision. In most countries the service is not remunerated or part of health policy. Following a positive impact study, a roll out was required to translate the evidence-based approach into usual practice.

    Objectives

    The aim was to evaluate the clinical and implementation process of a MAS into usual practice of CP.

    Methods

    A 12-month pragmatic study with hybrid effectiveness-implementation design was planned from October 2020. The co-designed service had several components: agreed SOP with GP organisations, protocols for 31 ailments, IT based consultation protocol and training before and during the study. 33 part time practice change facilitators evaluated fidelity, reach and feedback. Patients were followed up after 10 days by service pharmacists. All data were collected through IT systems as a by-product of service delivery and implementation. Outcome and process data of the first 8 months are presented.

    Results

    1246 pharmacists from 24 provinces in Spain were trained with 63.7% (n=794) pharmacists in 611 CPs having a reach of 8108 consultations. Fidelity issues were apparent in measuring quality of life and DPRs. Consultation of minor ailment had higher rate (84.0%, n=6809) than direct product request (16.0%, n=1299). 9.3% (n=756) patients were referred to the GP. 64.5% (n=5229) of patients had 8.5 points (SD=1.99) out of 10 for symptom resolution.

    Conclusion

    Similar clinical results to the impact study reflected the level of clinical success yet there were limitations to the rate and extent of the implementation process. MAS carried out in CP using the co-designed service has the potential to reduce variability of practice and increase consumer safety. There were implications for the study as it was undertaken during COVID-19 pandemic.

Last update 28 September 2023

FIP Congresses