Atrial fibrillation screening in pharmacies using an iPhone ECG: a qualitative review of implementation.
Int J Clin Pharm
; 37(6): 1111-20, 2015 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26202627
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Atrial fibrillation guidelines advocate screening to identify undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Community pharmacies may provide an opportunistic venue for such screening.OBJECTIVE:
To explore the experience of implementing an atrial fibrillation screening service from the pharmacist's perspective including the process of study implementation; the perceived benefits; the barriers and enablers; and the challenges for future sustainability of atrial fibrillation screening within pharmacies. Setting Interviews were conducted face-to-face in the pharmacy or via telephone, according to pharmacist preference.METHOD:
The 'SEARCH-AF study' screened 1000 pharmacy customers aged ≥65 years using an iPhone electrocardiogram, identifying 1.5 % with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Nine pharmacists took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed in full and thematically analysed. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURE:
Qualitative analysis of the experience of implementing an AF screening service from the pharmacist's perspective.RESULTS:
Four broad themes relating to service provision were identified (1) interest and engagement in atrial fibrillation screening by pharmacists, customers, and doctors with the novel, easy-to-use electrocardiogram technology serving as an incentive to undergo screening and an education tool for pharmacists to use with customers; (2) perceived benefits to the pharmacist including increased job satisfaction, improvement in customer relations and pharmacy profile by fostering enhanced customer care and the educational role of pharmacists; (3) implementation barriers including managing workflow, and enablers such as personal approaches for recruitment, and allocating time to discuss screening process and fears; and, (4) potential for sustainable future implementation including remuneration linked to government or pharmacy incentives, combined cardiovascular screening, and automating sections of risk-assessments using touch-screen technology.CONCLUSION:
Atrial fibrillation screening in pharmacies is well accepted by pharmacists and customers. Many pharmacists combined atrial fibrillation screening with other health screens reporting improved time-efficiency and greater customer satisfaction. Widespread implementation of atrial fibrillation screening requires longterm funding, which could be provided for a combined cardiovascular screening service. Further research could focus on feasibility and cost-effectiveness of combined cardiovascular screening in pharmacies.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Temas:
ECOS
/
Aspectos_gerais
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Farmacêuticos
/
Fibrilação Atrial
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Serviços Comunitários de Farmácia
/
Papel Profissional
/
Smartphone
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
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Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Clin Pharm
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália