A drop-in clinic for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes: a community pharmacy feasibility study

Twigg, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0910-3850, Bhattacharya, Debi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3024-7453, Desborough, James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5807-1731 and Wright, David (2015) A drop-in clinic for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes: a community pharmacy feasibility study. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 37 (2). pp. 395-402. ISSN 2210-7703

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Abstract

Background Preparatory work suggests that there may be a role for the pharmacist in managing sub-optimal medication adherence and dose titration of prescribed medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients have reported that they are receptive towards pharmacists becoming involved in their care providing that this is integrated into the care received from their medical practice. Objective To determine whether a community pharmacy diabetes drop-in clinic is feasible and acceptable to patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Setting Five community pharmacies in Norfolk, UK. Method Poorly controlled patients, as defined by a national General Practitioner incentive scheme, were invited to participate in the study by a letter posted by their medical practice. One four-hour, pharmacist clinic, where participants were able to "drop-in", was conducted in five pharmacies every week for four to six weeks. Questionnaires before and after the consultation were used to determine the clinic's effect on satisfaction with, and beliefs about, medicines and adherence along with participant satisfaction. Pharmacists had the opportunity to provide feedback via "debrief" interviews. Main outcome measure As a feasibility study, a combination of outcomes were explored including informationsatisfaction and adherence. Results Thirty-three (9.6%) of the 342 patients with type 2 diabetes posted letters were recruited from four pharmacies. Follow-up questionnaire completion rate was 88%. The clinic demonstrated little change in the parameters measured over three months. All of the participants rated their general impression of the service as good or very good and all would be happy to recommend the service to others with diabetes. Sixteen participants (59%) stated that it would make them more likely to consult their pharmacist in the future. Pharmacists enjoyed providing the service as it allowed them to interact more formally, and for longer, with patients. Conclusion This research has demonstrated that a community pharmacy drop-in clinic is feasible and likely to be acceptable to both patients and pharmacists; however, cost effectiveness of such a service should be explored in future studies. Further thought should also be given to how this service can complement that provided by a nurse in the medical practice and how the pharmacist can provide additional benefit to the NHS.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: type 2 diabetes,united kingdom,mur,medicine use review,drop in clinic,adherence,community pharmacy,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Medicines Management (former - to 2017)
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Innovations in Pharmacy Education
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Patient Care
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 16 Feb 2015 12:50
Last Modified: 21 Oct 2022 00:32
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/52249
DOI: 10.1007/s11096-015-0076-5

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