Pharmacy personnel comfort and confidence in screening for social needs: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Addressing social needs (such as lack of adequate housing, food, and transportation) has been shown to improve medication adherence and overall patient outcomes. However, screening for social needs during routine patient care can be challenging due to lack of knowledge of social resources and adequate training. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study is to explore the comfort and confidence of community pharmacy personnel in a chain community pharmacy when discussing social determinants of health (SDOH) with patients. A secondary objective of this study was to assess the impact of a targeted continuing pharmacy education program in this area. METHODS: Baseline confidence and comfort were measured through a brief online survey consisting of Likert scale questions regarding various aspects of SDOH (e.g., importance and benefit, knowledge of social resources, relevant training, workflow feasibility). Subgroup analysis of respondent characteristics was conducted to examine differences between respondent demographics. A targeted training was piloted, and an optional posttraining survey was administered. RESULTS: The baseline survey was completed by 157 pharmacists (n = 141, 90%) and pharmacy technicians (n = 16, 10%). Overall, the pharmacy personnel surveyed lacked confidence and comfort when conducting screenings for social needs. There was not a statistically significant difference in comfort or confidence between roles; however, subgroup analysis revealed trends and significant differences between respondent demographics. The largest gaps identified were lack of knowledge of social resources, inadequate training, and workflow concerns. Respondents of the posttraining survey (n = 38, response rate = 51%) reported significantly higher comfort and confidence than the baseline. CONCLUSION: Practicing community pharmacy personnel lack confidence and comfort in screening patients for social needs at baseline. More research is needed to determine if pharmacists or technicians may be better equipped to implement social needs screenings in community pharmacy practice. Common barriers may be alleviated with targeted training programs to address these concerns.

Enhancing point-of-care testing through standardized training and redeployment of pharmacy technicians in the community setting.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of a standardized training model for technician-supported point-of-care testing (POCT) on the number of health screenings performed across two states in a large community chain pharmacy. Secondary objectives included the assessment of pharmacist and technician perceptions of advanced roles of the pharmacy technician in POCT service delivery. Practice description: Certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) across six regional divisions of a large community chain pharmacy in Tennessee and Ohio participated in a standardized training program prior to implementation of technician-supported POCT. Practice innovation: Standardized training consisted of pre-training assessments, online training modules, post-training assessments, followed by in-person skills-based assessments. CPhT participation was limited to technical tasks of POCT (e.g. sample collections, quality assurance). Evaluation methods: The study addressed its primary objective by comparing total number of health screenings for included pharmacies in 2019 as compared to 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Perceptions were assessed using an electronic, Likert-type scale questionnaire. Results: Pharmacies with technician-supported POCT showed a 46% increase in the total number of health screenings performed vs. 2019. The survey found that 74% (106/144) of pharmacists and 83% (34/41) of CPhTs agreed or strongly agreed that technician-supported POCT is acceptable for their practice site. Most pharmacy personnel agreed or strongly agreed that the service was appropriate and feasible for their respective practice sites. Conclusion: This study provided supporting evidence that technician-supported POCT may positively impact the number of health screenings conducted in a community pharmacy setting. Standardization of training may allow for expansion of this service across additional states. Furthermore, pharmacy personnel perceptions were overall positive.

Evaluating advanced pharmacy technician roles in the provision of point-of-care testing.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact of pharmacy technician-supported point-of-care testing (POCT), including sample collection, on the number of cholesterol screenings performed in a community pharmacy setting. Secondary objectives include assessment of provider perceptions and patient satisfaction of POCT when executed by a technician. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Thirty-two community pharmacies in 1 regional division of a large community pharmacy chain in Tennessee; 16 participated in a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) training program, and 16 did not. PRACTICE INNOVATION: CPhTs supported POCT service delivery limited to the nonprofessional, technical tasks (e.g., sample collection, quality assurance). EVALUATION: The primary objective was evaluated by comparing the total number of screenings for control and intervention sites. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Both secondary measures were assessed via anonymous, Likert-type scale questionnaires. RESULTS: Intervention pharmacies performed 358 screenings, whereas control pharmacies performed 255 screenings (16.8% difference). The patient perception survey found that 94% (149 of 159) of those who received screening with CPhT involvement agreed or strongly agreed that the service was valuable, and 70% (111 of 159) reported that they are likely to follow up with their primary care providers to discuss the results. Furthermore, most patients were in agreement that they were overall satisfied with the screening services provided by the CPhT (94%, 149 of 159), and the CPhT was professional while performing the screening (95%, 151 of 159). The provider perceptions survey on service implementation found that most pharmacy personnel agreed or strongly agreed that CPhTs performing POCT was feasible, appropriate, and acceptable. CONCLUSION: This study provided preliminary data that technician-supported POCT may positively impact the number of screenings provided. In addition, provider perceptions were positive, and patients felt satisfied with the studied technician model.

Exploring pharmacists' perceptions regarding influenza and streptococcal testing within a chain pharmacy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess pharmacists' perceptions of point-of-care testing (POCT) and treatment for influenza and streptococcus pharyngitis in a community pharmacy setting. A secondary objective was to explore the correlation between demographic data and survey responses. METHODS: An anonymous electronic Likert-type-scale questionnaire was sent to pharmacists in a division of a large national supermarket chain pharmacy in western Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. This survey was e-mailed with the use of Qualtrics Survey Software and administered from November 28, 2016, to December 31, 2016. It included questions that explored pharmacists' willingness to perform influenza and streptococcus pharyngitis POCT as well as to recommend and provide appropriate treatment. The survey also collected demographic information including age, education, and number of years practicing at current site. The survey was reviewed by a convenience sample of pharmacists in a large national supermarket chain and revised based on their feedback. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate quantitative participant responses. RESULTS: The electronic survey was distributed to 379 pharmacists, and the response rate for the survey was 39% (146/379). This study found that 69% either strongly agreed or agreed to be willing to perform POCT in a community pharmacy setting, and 86% either strongly agreed or agreed to be willing to recommend appropriate treatment for influenza and streptococcal pharyngitis. Secondarily, the majority of participants either strongly agreed (27%) or agreed (52%) that they possessed the clinical knowledge to treat these infections. In addition, 32% strongly agreed and 52% agreed that their staff could be trained to assist with these services. Finally, 66% either strongly agreed or agreed there were barriers to implementing this service. CONCLUSION: This survey provided insight into pharmacists' perceptions of providing influenza and streptococcal pharyngitis POCT in their pharmacy and demonstrated that a majority were willing to provide treatment.

Patient Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Medication Review Provided by a Community Pharmacist.

Background: The comprehensive medication review (CMR) is one of the most commonly delivered medication therapy management services, and it is a required service to be provided to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Despite the large body of evidence available on medication therapy management benefits, and the growing value placed on it by payers, there has been little research assessing patient satisfaction with these services. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with a face-to-face or telephonic CMR provided by a chain community pharmacist. The study secondarily assessed patients' perceived value of the service while also collecting demographic information. Methods: A Likert-type satisfaction survey was distributed to patients on completion of a face-to-face or telephonic CMR in either Outcomes or Mirixa by members of a clinical team (7 clinical pharmacists and 4 residents) within a chain community pharmacy. Participants were asked to return the survey in a self-addressed stamped envelope within 1 week of the CMR. Results: The response rate for the survey was 33% (31 of 95 surveys returned). The study found that approximately 70% (21 of 31) strongly agreed with being overall satisfied with the CMR. Conclusion: This research study provided insight to patients' perceptions of a CMR provided by a community pharmacist. Patient views of the CMR were positive, with patients finding CMR delivery in a community pharmacy valuable. Further investigation of specific interventions and approaches during a medication review could help identify ways to increase patient satisfaction.