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Savickas, Vilius 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8059-5619, Veale, Emma L., Bhamra, Sukvinder K., Stewart, Adrian J., Mathie, Alistair and Corlett, Sarah
(2020)
Pharmacists detecting atrial fibrillation in general practice: A qualitative focus group study.
BJGP Open, 4 (3).
ISSN 1849-5435
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Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects up to 10% of people aged ≥65 years, yet a third of all cases remain undetected. Practice-based pharmacists are in an ideal position to facilitate opportunistic AF screening, while increasing general practice capacity at a time of workforce crisis. Aim: To explore the perspectives of three stakeholder groups involved in the ‘Pharmacists Detecting Atrial Fibrillation’ (PDAF) study to elucidate the facilitators and barriers to pharmacist-led AF screening in general practice. Design & setting: A qualitative study took place, comprising homogeneous focus groups with stakeholders in Kent, UK. Method: The stakeholder groups — patients, general practice staff (GPS), and clinical pharmacists (CPs) — were recruited using convenience sampling. Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a deductive Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) approach. Results: Twenty-five patients, four pharmacists, and nine practice staff participated in six focus groups. Three main themes were identified: knowledge and awareness; prioritisation of resources; and environmental considerations. The public’s lack of awareness of AF-related risks and pharmacist-led screening services was highlighted. Practice-based pharmacists were perceived as an underutilised educational resource which, together with novel electrocardiogram devices, enabled convenient access to screening while reducing GPs’ workload. Participants agreed that AF screening should be incorporated into personalised health checks and at-risk groups should be prioritised, such as care home residents. Patients favoured the general practice environment over the community pharmacy where concerns of privacy, staffing, and commercialisation were raised. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the introduction of pharmacist-led AF screening programmes in general practice surgeries. Commissioners should consider the added value of utilising CPs and focus on the delivery of AF screening within an integrated service.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Funding information: This work was supported by a Medical Educational Grant from Bayer UK (reference number: UKBAY09170342a) and Faculty of Science Research Funding, University of Kent. Training for pharmacists was additionally supported by a grant from Kent Surrey and Sussex Community Education Providers Network (CEPN). |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | atrial fibrillation,general practice,mass screening,pharmacists,primary health care,qualitative research,family practice ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2714 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Nov 2024 10:30 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Nov 2024 01:52 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97751 |
| DOI: | 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101042 |
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